JPH06130862A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming device for a reversible thermosensitive recording film which can form an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without adding a dedicated and large-sized image forming means by utilizing an electrophotographic process by which the image is formed on an existing plain paper sheet, and suppress the rise of a cost, the increase of the capacity of the device and the complication of an image forming control system. CONSTITUTION:A recording mode selection means for selecting a PP mode that the image is recorded on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode that the image is recorded on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is provided. When the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the plain paper sheet is supplied and carried and such a consecutive operation that writing on a photosensitive body 10, toner developing, toner transfer on the plain paper sheet and toner fixation is executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer, which can be used for image recording on a plain paper sheet and a reversible thermosensitive recording film by an electrophotographic process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the protection of the global environment including forest resources has become one of the major problems in various industrial fields. In the OA equipment industry as well, the reuse of recording sheets used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines is steadily being implemented as part of this environmental protection measure. In the currently practiced method for reusing recording sheets, it is general to collect used recording sheets collectively and to chemically process them in a reprocessing plant such as a paper manufacturing factory to produce recycled paper.
However, in such a chemical treatment method, there is a physical limit to the number of retreatments (progress of fiber decomposition), and a certain amount of new wood is required for the retreatment.

On the other hand, as another method for reusing a recording sheet, a rewritable recording material which can be re-used any number of times, more specifically, a reusable recording material which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature A method using a recording material (hereinafter referred to as a reversible thermosensitive recording film; TC film) has been variously proposed for its easy handling.

[0004]

The present invention is to study reusable TC films among the above-mentioned conventional techniques. By the way, in the conventional image forming method on the TC film, the heat generating means (thermal head) is directly contacted with the film surface to record the image information. In addition, although various uses of this TC film are considered, it is widely spread, and the amount of paper used is huge, so that it is expected that the effect of paper reuse will be great. Alternatively, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, the apparatus to which the TC film can be applied has not yet been put into practical use. This is because the conventional image forming apparatus usually uses the electrophotographic process as the image forming method, and therefore, in order to make the TC film applicable to this type of image forming apparatus, the conventional electrophotographic process means is used. In addition to this, an image forming means (for example, a heat generating means, a conveying means, a control means, etc.) dedicated to the TC film must be newly provided. That is, the image forming apparatus having the structure in which the image forming means dedicated to the TC film is added is, in other words, an apparatus which is a combination of a conventional copying machine and the image forming apparatus of the TC film, and is a special technique. However, from the viewpoint of the entire apparatus, it is inevitable that the cost will be significantly increased, the size will be increased, and the image forming control system will be complicated, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film. It is considered that the point that it requires a large-scale work procedure for exclusive use is not yet put to practical use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to form an image on a conventional plain paper sheet without adding a large-scale work procedure exclusively for a reversible thermosensitive recording film. To provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a reversible thermosensitive recording film by using an electrophotographic process for performing an image forming process, suppressing an increase in cost, and maintaining the current state of apparatus volume and control configuration. is there.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a latent image writing means for writing image information on a photoconductor as an electrostatic latent image, and an electrostatic image formed on the photoconductor. A developing unit that visualizes the latent image with toner, a paper feeding and conveying unit that feeds and conveys a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit, and a plain paper sheet that is fed and conveyed to the image forming unit. It has a transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor and a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature. An available reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed to the image forming section by the paper feeding and conveying means, and is formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. The toner image Thereby transferring the shooting unit, an image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film on the irradiation means for heating the toner image transferred to the reversible thermosensitive recording films have been transferred by irradiating the toner image, after the image formation,
In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film from the film surface by the toner removing means, the PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and the reversible thermosensitive recording film A recording mode selecting unit for selecting the TC mode for recording an image is provided. When the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selecting unit, a plain paper sheet is fed and conveyed to the photoconductor. Writing, toner development, toner transfer to a plain paper sheet, and toner fixing.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention uses a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor and a toner for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. Developing means for making the image visible by means of, and a paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section;
A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film to heat the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the image is carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the toner existing on the film surface by the toner removing means, the PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and the reversibility T for recording an image to the thermal recording film
The recording mode selecting means for selecting the C mode is provided, and when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed to write on the photoconductor. , Toner development, toner transfer to a reversible thermosensitive recording film, irradiation, and toner removal are performed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention further comprises a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, and a toner for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. Developing means for making the image visible by means of, and a paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section;
A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; The reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed to the forming section and initialized by the heat generating means, and formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film. The transferred toner image is transferred by the transfer unit, and an image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by an irradiation unit that irradiates the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred to heat the transferred toner image. An image forming apparatus having a structure in which the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed from the film surface by a toner removing means after the image formation. Oite has recording mode selecting means for selecting the TC mode for recording the PP mode and an image to the reversible heat-sensitive recording film for recording an image on the plain paper sheet, T by the recording mode selecting means
When the C mode is selected, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed to write on the photoconductor, toner development, initialization of the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording film. , Irradiation, and toner removal are performed.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention further comprises a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, and a toner for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. Developing means for making the image visible by means of, and a paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section;
A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film to heat the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the image is carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the remaining toner from the film surface by the toner removing means, select to erase the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film. Initialization means, a manual feed tray for manually inserting the recording paper, a recording paper detection means for detecting the recording paper on the manual feed tray, and a fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means. However, in the case where the recording paper detection means detects that there is a recording paper on the manual feed tray, and the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selection means. Means to heat the fixing means without writing on the photosensitive member by the writing means, developing by the developing means, and transferring by the transfer means, and the fixing means that the fixing means is heated to a prescribed set temperature. The used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed from the manual feed tray to the fixing means by being detected by the temperature detecting means, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is conveyed. The used image recording film and configured to discharge to the discharge tray to erase by heat of the fixing means.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention further comprises a latent image writing means for writing image information on the photoconductor as an electrostatic latent image, and a toner for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. Developing means for making the image visible by means of, and a paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section;
A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film to heat the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the image is carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the remaining toner from the film surface by the toner removing means, select to erase the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film. Initialization reselecting means, a reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray containing only the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and recording paper detection means for detecting recording paper in the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feeding tray And a fixing temperature detecting means for detecting a heat generation temperature of the fixing means, and when the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, The fixing temperature detecting means is used to heat the fixing means without writing on the photoconductor by the writing means, developing by the developing means, and transferring by the transfer means, and heating the fixing means to a prescribed set temperature. Detected, the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed from the dedicated reversible thermosensitive recording film feed tray to the fixing means, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed. Of the used image of the reversible thermosensitive recording film and configured to discharge to the discharge tray to erase by heat of the fixing means.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention further comprises a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, and a toner for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. Developing means for making the image visible by means of, and a paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section;
A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film to heat the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the image is carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the remaining toner from the film surface by the toner removing means, select to erase the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film. Initialization selecting means, cassette detecting means for detecting whether or not a cassette for exclusive use of the reversible thermosensitive recording film containing the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set in the paper feeding tray, and recording paper in the paper feeding tray. The recording paper detection means for detecting the presence / absence and the fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means are provided, and the cassette detection means detects the setting of the cassette for exclusive use of the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the paper feed tray. Then, the recording paper detection means detects that there is a recording paper in the paper feed tray in which the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette is set,
When the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, writing to the photoconductor by the writing means,
The fixing means is heated without performing development by the developing means and transfer by the transfer means, and the fixing temperature detecting means detects that the fixing means is heated to a prescribed set temperature, and the used reversible The heat-sensitive recording film is fed and conveyed from the paper feed tray in which the cassette for the reversible heat-sensitive recording film is set to the fixing means, and the used image of the used reversible heat-sensitive recording film is transferred to the fixing means. The sheet is erased and discharged.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention further comprises a latent image writing means for writing image information on the photoconductor as an electrostatic latent image, and a toner for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. Developing means for making the image visible by means of, and a paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section;
A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film to heat the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the image is carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the toner existing on the film surface by the toner removing means, the PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and the reversibility T for recording an image to the thermal recording film
A recording mode selection unit for selecting the C mode is provided, and when the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selection unit, a plain paper sheet is fed and conveyed to write on the photoconductor and toner. Performs a series of operations from development, toner transfer to a plain paper sheet, and toner fixing, as well as initialization selection means for selecting the erasing of the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and for manually inserting the recording paper. A manual feed tray, a recording paper detection unit that detects the recording paper on the manual feed tray, a reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated feeding tray that stores only the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and a reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated feeding A recording paper full detection means for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the tray is full, and a fixing temperature detection means for detecting a heat generation temperature of the fixing means, The detection means detects that there is recording paper on the manual feed tray, the recording paper full detection means detects that the recording paper in the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated tray is not full, and the initialization selection means When the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected, the above described writing is performed without writing on the photoconductor by the writing means, developing by the developing means, and transferring by the transfer means. The fixing means is heated, and the fixing temperature detecting means detects that the fixing means is heated to a predetermined set temperature, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed from the manual feed tray to the fixing means. The reversible thermosensitive recording film is conveyed, and the used image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased by the heat of the fixing means to remove the reversible thermosensitive recording film. A configuration in which discharge to the dedicated paper feed tray.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention further comprises a latent image writing means for writing image information on the photoconductor as an electrostatic latent image, and a toner for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. Developing means for making the image visible by means of, and a paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section;
A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film to heat the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the image is carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the toner existing on the film surface by the toner removing means, the PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and the reversibility T for recording an image to the thermal recording film
The recording mode selecting means for selecting the C mode is provided, and when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed to write on the photoreceptor. , Toner development, toner transfer to reversible thermosensitive recording film, irradiation, and removal of toner, and initialization selection means for selecting erasing of recorded image of used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and use A used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray in which the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is accommodated, and recording paper detection means for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper in the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feeding tray, A recording paper full detection means for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the reversible heat-sensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray is full, and a constant for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means. A temperature detecting means, the recording paper detecting means detects that there is a recording paper in the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated feed tray, and the recording paper full detection means detects the reversible thermosensitive recording film. When it is detected that the recording paper in the dedicated tray is not full and the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, the photoconductor by the writing means is selected. To the fixing means without writing to the developing means, developing by the developing means, and transferring by the transferring means, and detecting that the fixing means is heated to a predetermined set temperature by the fixing temperature detecting means, The used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed from the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray to the fixing means, and then used. Of the used image of the reversible thermosensitive recording films and erased by the heat of the fixing means configured to discharge to the reversible thermosensitive recording films dedicated feed tray.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention further comprises a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, and a toner for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. Developing means for making the image visible by means of, and a paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section;
A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; The reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed to the forming section and initialized by the heat generating means, and formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film. The transferred toner image is transferred by the transfer unit, and an image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by an irradiation unit that irradiates the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred to heat the transferred toner image. An image forming apparatus having a structure in which the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed from the film surface by a toner removing means after the image formation. Oite has recording mode selecting means for selecting the TC mode for recording the PP mode and an image to the reversible heat-sensitive recording film for recording an image on the plain paper sheet, T by the recording mode selecting means
When the C mode is selected, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed, and a series of processes from writing to the photoreceptor, toner development, toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording film, irradiation, and toner removal are performed. An initialization selection means for performing the operation and selecting whether to erase the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and a used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated feeding tray for accommodating the used reversible thermosensitive recording film , Recording paper detection means for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper in this used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray, and reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette for reversible thermosensitive recording film cassette feed The cassette detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of a set, the recording paper full detection means for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the paper feed tray is full, and the fixing means. A fixing temperature detecting means for detecting a heat temperature, and the recording paper detecting means detects the presence of a recording paper in the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated feeding tray, and the cassette detecting means detects a reversible feeling. The setting of the cassette for exclusive use of the thermal recording film is detected, it is detected by the recording paper full detection means that the recording paper in the paper feed tray in which the cassette for exclusive use of the reversible thermal recording film is not full is detected, and the initialization selecting means is set. When the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by, the writing on the photoconductor by the writing unit, the development by the developing unit, and the transfer by the transfer unit are not performed. The fixing means is heated, and it is detected by the fixing temperature detecting means that the fixing means is heated to a specified set temperature. The spent reversible thermosensitive recording film conveys the sheet feeding to the fixing means from the spent reversible thermosensitive recording films dedicated tray,
The used image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased by the heat of the fixing means and discharged to the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has, in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to claims 8 and 9, a specified time measuring means for measuring a specified time,
Alternatively, a prescribed time measuring means for measuring the prescribed time is provided, and when the prescribed time measuring means or the prescribed time measuring means confirms the passage of the prescribed time or the arrival of the prescribed time, the initialization selecting means is used. Even if the mode for erasing the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is not selected, the operation for erasing the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9. It is configured to perform.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, a prescribed time of the prescribed time measuring means or a prescribed time for varying the prescribed time of the prescribed time measuring means. A setting unit or a specified time setting unit is provided to change the specified time or the specified time.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the image forming apparatus according to claims 8 and 9, when the power source of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the initialization selecting means has already been used. 10. A structure for erasing a recorded image of a used reversible thermosensitive recording film in an image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, even if a mode for erasing a recorded image of a reversible thermosensitive recording film is not selected. And

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a reversible thermosensitive recording film is provided in a dedicated paper feeding tray for used reversible thermosensitive recording film. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, even when the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is not selected by the initialization selecting means when the dedicated cassette is set. In the above configuration, the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 13, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is recorded by changing the cloudiness from transparent to transparent. In the case where the set temperature of the fixing means is set to a temperature at which the reversible thermosensitive recording film changes from transparent to cloudy, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film is recorded by changing color from transparent to cloudy, The set temperature of the fixing unit is set to a temperature at which the reversible thermosensitive recording film changes from cloudiness to transparent.

[0020]

According to the present invention, the recording mode selecting means is provided for selecting the PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and the TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. When the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, a plain paper sheet is fed and conveyed, and a series of processes from writing to the photosensitive member, toner development, toner transfer to the plain paper sheet, and toner fixing are performed. Is performed.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided recording mode selection means for selecting a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. Therefore, when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed, and writing on the photoconductor, toner development, and toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording film. , Irradiation, and toner removal are performed.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided recording mode selection means for selecting a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film, When the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, a reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed to write on the photoconductor,
A series of operations including toner development, reversible thermosensitive recording film initialization, toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording film, irradiation, and toner removal are performed.

Further, according to the present invention, initialization selecting means for selecting erasure of the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, a manual feed tray for manually feeding the recording paper, and recording on the manual feed tray. Since the recording paper detection means for detecting the paper and the fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means are provided, the recording paper detection means detects the presence of the recording paper on the manual feed tray. When the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, writing to the photoconductor by the writing means, development by the developing means, transfer means The above-mentioned fixing means is heated without being transferred by the above-mentioned method, and it is detected by the above-mentioned fixing temperature detecting means that the fixing means is heated to a predetermined set temperature, Already reversible thermosensitive recording films are fed and conveyed to the fixing means from the manual feed tray,
The used image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased by the heat of the fixing unit and discharged to the discharge tray.

Further, according to the present invention, an initialization selecting means for selecting the erasure of the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and a dedicated reversible thermosensitive recording film containing only the reversible thermosensitive recording film. Since it has a paper tray, recording paper detection means for detecting the recording paper in the reversible heat-sensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray, and fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means, When the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the conversion selecting means, the writing on the photoconductor by the writing means, the development by the developing means, and the transfer by the transfer means are performed. The fixing means is heated without being performed, and the fixing temperature detecting means detects that the fixing means has been heated to a specified set temperature, and the fixing means may be used. The heat-sensitive recording film is fed and conveyed from the reversible heat-sensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray to the fixing means, and the used image of the used reversible heat-sensitive recording film is erased by the heat of the fixing means and discharged. The paper is ejected to the paper tray.

Further, according to the present invention, the initialization selection means for selecting the erasure of the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette containing the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. Cassette detection means for detecting the presence / absence of setting in the paper feed tray, recording paper detection means for detecting the presence / absence of recording paper in the paper feed tray, and fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means. Since the cassette detecting means detects that the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette is set in the paper feed tray, the recording paper detecting means detects that the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette is set. It is detected that there is a recording paper in the paper tray, and the initialization selecting means deletes the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film. When is selected, the fixing means is heated without writing on the photoconductor by the writing means, the development by the developing means, and the transfer by the transfer means, and the fixing means is heated to a specified set temperature. Is detected by the fixing temperature detecting means,
The used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed to the fixing means from the paper feeding tray in which the cassette for the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set, and the used image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is It is erased by the heat of the fixing means and is discharged.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided recording mode selection means for selecting the PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and the TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. Therefore, when the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, a plain paper sheet is fed and conveyed, and writing on the photoconductor is performed.
A series of operations from toner development, toner transfer to a plain paper sheet, and toner fixing are performed, and initialization selection means for selecting erasing of the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film and the recording paper are manually fed. A manual feed tray, a recording paper detection means for detecting the recording paper on the manual feed tray, a reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated feeding tray that stores only the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and a reversible thermosensitive recording film Since the recording paper full detection means for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the paper feed tray is full and the fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means are provided, the recording paper detection means is provided. Detects that there is recording paper on the manual feed tray, and the recording paper full detection means detects that the recording paper in the dedicated tray for reversible thermosensitive recording film is not full. Is detected, and the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, writing to the photoconductor by the writing means, development by the developing means, The fixing means is heated without being transferred by the transfer means, and it is detected by the fixing temperature detecting means that the fixing means is heated to a predetermined set temperature, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is Paper is fed from the manual feed tray to the fixing means, and the used image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased by the heat of the fixing means and discharged into the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feeding tray. To be done.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a recording mode selecting means for selecting a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. Therefore, when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed, and writing on the photoconductor, toner development, and toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording film. , Irradiation, and toner removal are performed, and initialization selection means for selecting erasure of the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film and used reversible thermosensitive recording film are used. Reversible thermal recording film dedicated paper feed tray and recording paper detection that detects the presence or absence of recording paper in this used reversible thermal recording film dedicated paper feed tray A recording sheet full detection means for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the paper feed tray dedicated to the reversible thermosensitive recording film is full, and a fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means. Therefore, the recording paper detection means detects that there is a recording paper in the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray, and the recording paper full detection means detects the recording paper in the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated tray. When it is detected that the recording paper is not full, and the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, writing to the photoconductor by the writing means, The fixing means is heated without being developed by the developing means and transferred by the transfer means, and the fixing means is heated to a prescribed set temperature. Of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed from the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated feed tray to the fixing means, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is detected. The used image is erased by the heat of the fixing means and discharged into the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a recording mode selecting means for selecting a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. Therefore, when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed, and writing on the photoconductor, toner development, and toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording film. , Irradiation, and toner removal are performed, and initialization selection means for selecting erasure of the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film and used reversible thermosensitive recording film are used. Reversible thermal recording film dedicated paper feed tray and recording paper detection that detects the presence or absence of recording paper in this used reversible thermal recording film dedicated paper feed tray A cassette detection means for detecting stage and the presence or absence of a set of the paper feed tray of the reversible thermosensitive recording films have been accommodated reversible thermosensitive recording films dedicated cassette,
Since the recording paper full detection means for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the paper feed tray is full and the fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means are included, the recording paper detection is performed. The means detects that there is a recording paper in the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray, the cassette detecting means detects the set of the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette, and the recording paper full detection means It is detected that the recording paper in the paper feed tray in which the cassette for the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set is not full, and the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film by the initialization selecting means is set. When selected, the writing means does not write to the photoconductor, the developing means does not perform the development, and the transfer means does not perform the transfer. The fixing means is heated, and it is detected by the fixing temperature detecting means that the fixing means is heated to a predetermined set temperature, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed to the used reversible thermosensitive recording film. The used image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased by the heat of the fixing unit and is discharged to the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feeding tray. .

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the eighth and ninth aspects, a prescribed time measuring means for measuring a prescribed time or a prescribed time for measuring a prescribed time. When the specified time measuring means or the specified time measuring means confirms the elapse of the specified time or the arrival of the specified time, recording means records the used reversible thermosensitive recording film by the initialization selecting means. Even if the mode for deleting already recorded images is not selected,
The erase operation of the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 is performed. Further, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, the specified time period is exceeded. The specified time or the specified time is changed by the specified time setting means or the specified time setting means for changing the specified time of the measuring means or the specified time of the specified time measuring means.

Further, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to claims 8 and 9, when the power source of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the reversible thermosensitive recording film which has been used is recorded by the initialization selecting means. Even if the mode for erasing the used image is not selected, the operation for erasing the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 is performed.

Further, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, when the cassette for exclusive use of the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set in the used feeding tray for exclusive use of the reversible thermosensitive recording film. 9. Even if the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is not selected by the initialization selecting means,
And the operation of erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus according to claim 9 is performed.

Further, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 13, when the reversible thermosensitive recording film is recorded by changing its color from cloudiness to transparent, the fixing means The set temperature is set to a temperature at which the reversible thermosensitive recording film changes color from transparent to cloudy,
When the reversible thermosensitive recording film is recorded by changing the color from transparent to cloudy, the set temperature of the fixing unit is
The temperature of the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set to a temperature at which the cloudiness changes to transparent.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the disclosure of the configuration, action, etc. within a range that can be clearly recalled from the description of the present specification is omitted or simplified in order to avoid complication of the description.

The image forming apparatus in which the present invention is carried out includes a plain paper sheet (hereinafter, simply referred to as plain paper) and a reversible thermosensitive recording film; a thermochromic film (hereinafter, T).
For C film), an image can be recorded using common image forming means. As shown in FIG. 1, the first image forming apparatus has two paper feed trays, a paper feed tray A and a paper feed tray B. These paper feed trays A and B are arranged in parallel,
Both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the TC film is set in the paper feed tray A and the plain paper is set in the paper feed tray B.

First, the image recording on the plain paper in the first image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 1, the bundle of plain papers set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out from the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is separated by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Be transported. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 to a pair of registration rollers composed of the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller.
At this time, the front end of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the plain paper is set.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The toner supplied from the developing unit 4 visualizes the image. Then, the plain paper sent toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration roller rotating at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred and separated by the transfer separation means 8.
Thus, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10. The plain paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36 arranged on the back side of the conveyance guide plate 13. The plain paper conveyed to the fixing unit 34 is pressed and heated by a pair of pressure roller 19 and heating roller 20 to fix the transferred toner image.

A TC cleaning means 24, which functions only when recording an image on a TC film, is disposed downstream of the fixing means 34.
This TC cleaning means 24 is indicated by an arrow a in FIG.
It is retracted to the position displaced in the direction (position shown by the solid line). As a result, the plain paper that is guided by the fixing outlet upper guide plate 22 and the fixing outlet lower guide plate 23 and discharged from the fixing unit 34 is in the state as it is, and the transport roller 3 is used.
Further, the sheet is further conveyed by 8, and is ejected onto a sheet ejection tray 30 by a sheet ejection roller 29 through a sheet ejection guide plate 28.

Next, the image recording on the TC film in the first image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG.
The bundle of TC films set in the paper feed tray A is pulled out from the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Here, in the first, the paper feed tray A
The TC film set in is initialized in advance (whitening)
Has been done. The TC film transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 to a pair of registration rollers including the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and is abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller. At this time, the pre-registration sensor 31 causes T
The leading edge of the C film is detected, and the timing of writing an image on the TC film is set.

On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the optical unit 5 is attached to the photosensitive member 10.
The original image is written as a latent image by the
The latent image on 0 is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 to the TC film sent by the pre-registration sensor 31 toward the photoconductor 10 by the rotating registration roller at a timing. The image forming process on the TC film thus far is no different from the image forming process on the plain paper described above.

At the time of recording an image on the TC film, the TC film on which the toner image is transferred is attracted to the transport guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36 arranged on the back side of the transport guide plate 13. When being conveyed while being conveyed, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 is arranged so as to face the conveyance guide plate 13 across the conveyance path.
Lights up. The light emitted from the irradiation lamp 16 is reflected by the reflection plate 1.
7 and the condensing lens 18 cause T on the transport guide plate 13
The film surface of C film is focused and irradiated. At this time, the TC film itself is in a cloudy state, and an unfixed toner image is transferred to the surface thereof. Therefore, the irradiation light that has been irradiated and condensed by the irradiation lamp 16, the reflection plate 17, and the condenser lens 18 is absorbed by the unfixed toner image portion that is the black portion of the film surface of the TC film, and the black portion of this black portion is absorbed. Even if the temperature is raised, it is reflected at the other part of the film surface that becomes cloudy (non-image part) and has no effect. As a result, a temperature difference occurs between the toner image portion and the non-image portion on the film surface of the TC film, and only the toner image portion of the TC film changes from the cloudy state to the transparent state due to this temperature difference, An image composed of a cloudy portion (non-image portion) and a transparent portion (toner image portion) is recorded on the TC film surface.

The TC film on which an image is recorded due to the heat discoloration of the cloudy portion is conveyed toward the fixing means 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36. Here, at the time of recording an image on the TC film, the film surface of the TC film conveyed to the fixing unit 34 comes into contact with the heating roller 20 and is reheated, so that the image recorded on the film surface is imaged. In order to prevent the heat loss from being lost, the heating roller 20 of the fixing means 34 is displaced in advance in the direction of arrow b in FIG.
The TC film is retracted to a position where it does not come into contact with the film surface (chain line position), that is, to a position where the heat of the heating roller 20 is not transferred to the TC film.

Further, at the time of recording an image on the TC film, the TC cleaning means 24 is operated by the arrow a in FIG.
And the rear surface of the TC film (the surface on which the toner image is not transferred) of the transport roller 38 which is a pair of rollers and has previously moved to a position displaced in the opposite direction (position shown by a chain line).
The blade 25 of the cleaning means 24 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the roller 38a located at. Here, the contact force of the blade 25 with respect to the roller 38a is the friction force between the roller 38a and the TC film.
It is set to be larger than the frictional force with the C film. As a result, the TC film that has passed through the fixing means 34 without being reheated is guided by the fixing outlet upper guide plate 22 and the fixing outlet lower guide plate 23, and then the roller 38.
It is conveyed according to the rotation of a. When the TC film is conveyed by the roller 38a, the toner transferred onto the film surface is scraped off by the blade 25. The toner scraped off from the film surface of the TC film is collected in the collection bottle 27 by the collection roller 26 provided in the cleaning unit 24.
The TC film on which the image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner in this manner is further conveyed by the conveying roller 38 including a pair of rollers. Then, the paper is guided by the paper discharge guide plate 28, and is discharged by the paper discharge rollers 29.
Is discharged above zero.

Next, the erasing step of initializing the image recorded on the TC film in the first image forming apparatus will be described. To reuse a used TC film on which an image has been recorded, the transparent part (image part) of the TC film must be reused.
It is sufficient to heat the entire surface of the TC film to a temperature at which the color is changed to a cloudy color. Therefore, in the first image forming apparatus, the same process as that for feeding plain paper may be executed without writing an image.

That is, specifically, first, a used TC film is set in the paper feed tray A or the paper feed tray B, and the paper feed roller 1, the transport roller 37, the registration drive roller 9, and the registration driven roller 40 are set. Thus, the used top TC film is fed and conveyed. At this time, the image signal is not sent and the optical unit 5 does not write an image as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 so that the toner is not attached to the photoconductor 10 by the developing means 4. As a result, the used TC film is
The toner passes through the transfer separation means 8 without being attached to the film surface. The used TC film that has been conveyed without toner adheres to it when passing through the fixing means 34.
The heating roller 20 of the fixing means 34 heats the entire surface of the TC film to a temperature at which the transparent part (image part) of the TC film is changed to a cloudy color. As a result, the entire surface of the TC film is initialized to a cloudy color, and the used image recorded by the transparent part and the cloudy part is erased. In this erasing step, since the toner is not attached to the film surface of the TC film, the TC cleaning means 24 moves to the arrow a in FIG. 1 and the blade 25 faces the conveyance roller 38a. The TC film thus initialized is further transported by the transport rollers 38, guided by the paper discharge guide plate 28, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 30 by the paper discharge rollers 29.

Next, the other components of the first image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 1, the paper feed guide plate 2 has a function of guiding the plain paper and the TC film fed by the paper feed roller 1 while being conveyed to the registration drive roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40. The pre-transfer guide plate 11 has a function of guiding the plain paper or the TC film conveyed by the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40 toward the photoconductor 10. The fixing entrance upper guide plate 14 and the fixing entrance lower guide plate 39 use the pressure roller 19 of the fixing means 34 for the plain paper or TC film separated and conveyed from the photoconductor 10.
And has a function of guiding to the nip portion of the heating roller 20. The thermistor T provided in the fixing unit 34 has a function of detecting the surface temperature of the heating roller 20,
The heating temperature of the heating roller 20 is changed by controlling the amount of heat generated by the heater 21 arranged in the heating roller 20 based on this detection signal. The charging unit 6 arranged around the photoconductor 10 has a function of initializing the surface potential of the photoconductor 10 by discharging. Paper ejection guide plate 28
The paper discharge sensor 32 disposed on the conveyance path detects the presence or absence of passage of the plain paper or the TC film conveyed from the fixing unit 34 at a predetermined timing, and detects a jam of the plain paper or the TC film. ing.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the TC is formed by using the conventional electrophotographic process for forming an image on plain paper.
Since the image can be formed on the film, it is not necessary to add a large-scale dedicated image forming means for recording the image on the TC film, and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and apparatus volume and a complicated image forming control system. be able to.

Next, the second image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus of the second image forming apparatus of the present invention is, similarly to the first image forming apparatus, a plain paper sheet (hereinafter, simply referred to as plain paper) and a reversible thermosensitive recording film; a thermochromic film ( (Hereinafter, abbreviated as TC film), an image can be recorded using a common image forming means, and a dedicated heat source for erasing the recorded image on the TC film to initialize the film surface. It is characterized by having. As shown in FIG. 2, this second image forming apparatus has two paper feed trays, a paper feed tray A and a paper feed tray B, as in the first embodiment. These paper feed trays A and B are arranged in parallel, and both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the TC film is set in the paper feed tray A and the plain paper is set in the paper feed tray B.

First, the image recording on the plain paper in the second image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 2, the bundle of plain papers set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out from the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the uppermost one sheet is rotated by the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Be transported. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 until it abuts against the nip portion of the registration drive roller 9 and the heat generation head 3. At this time, the front end of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the plain paper is set. Here, the contact force between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3 is set so that the frictional force between the registration driving roller 9 and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the heating head 3 and the TC film. . As a result, the plain paper is conveyed according to the rotation of the registration driving roller 9.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The toner supplied from the developing unit 4 visualizes the image. Then, the plain paper sent toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration driving roller 9 rotating at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred with a toner image from the photoconductor 10 by the transfer separation unit 8. The plain paper on which the toner image is transferred is the conveyance guide plate 1
By the suction force of the fan 36 disposed on the back surface side of the sheet 3, the sheet is conveyed toward the fixing unit 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13. The plain paper conveyed to the fixing unit 34 is conveyed by the pair of pressure roller 19 and heating roller 20.
The toner image transferred by being pressed and heated is fixed.

A TC cleaning means 24, which functions only when recording an image on a TC film, is disposed downstream of the fixing means 34. When recording an image on plain paper, a TC cleaning means 24 is provided.
This TC cleaning means 24 is indicated by an arrow a in FIG.
It is retracted to the position displaced in the direction (position shown by the solid line). As a result, the plain paper that is guided by the fixing outlet upper guide plate 22 and the fixing outlet lower guide plate 23 and discharged from the fixing unit 34 is in the state as it is, and the transport roller 3 is used.
Further, the sheet is further conveyed by 8, and is ejected onto a sheet ejection tray 30 by a sheet ejection roller 29 through a sheet ejection guide plate 28.

Next, the image recording on the TC film in the second image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG.
The bundle of TC films set in the paper feed tray A is pulled out from the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. TC conveyed by the paper feed roller 1
The film is carried by the carrying roller 37 until it abuts against the nip portion between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3. At this time, the TC before registration 31
The leading edge of the film is detected, and the timing for writing an image on the TC film is set. Here, the contact force between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3 is set so that the frictional force between the registration driving roller 9 and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the heating head 3 and the TC film. . As a result, the plain paper is conveyed according to the rotation of the registration driving roller 9.

Further, the heating head 3 has a function of heating the TC film to a temperature at which the transparent portion (image portion) of the TC film is turned into a cloudy color and is initialized. Therefore, in this second image forming apparatus, when the TC film passes through the nip portion between the resist driving roller 9 and the heating head 3, the heating head 3 heats the entire surface of the TC film to a temperature at which the TC film turns into a cloudy color. The recorded image is automatically erased even when the recorded TC film is conveyed.

On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the optical unit 5 is attached to the photoconductor 10.
The original image is written as a latent image by the
The latent image on 0 is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 to the TC film sent by the pre-registration sensor 31 toward the photoconductor 10 by the rotating registration roller at a timing. When recording an image on the TC film, the TC film on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36 arranged on the back side of the conveyance guide plate 13. At this time, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 arranged facing the conveyance guide plate 13 across the conveyance path is turned on. The irradiation light of the irradiation lamp 16 is reflected by the reflection plate 17
And the condenser lens 18 allows the TC on the transport guide plate 13
It is focused and irradiated on the film surface of the film. At this time,
The TC film itself is initialized to a cloudy state by the action of the heating head 3 in the erasing step, and the unfixed toner image is transferred to the surface thereof. Therefore, the irradiation light that is irradiated and condensed by the irradiation lamp 16, the reflection plate 17, and the condenser lens 18 is absorbed in the unfixed toner image portion that is the black portion of the film surface of the TC film,
Even if the temperature of the black portion is raised, it is reflected at the other part of the film surface that is in a white turbid state (non-image part) and has no effect. This causes a temperature difference between the toner image area and the non-image area on the film surface of the TC film,
Only the toner image portion of this TC film changes from the cloudy state to the transparent state due to this temperature difference, and thus the TC film surface has a cloudy portion (non-image portion) and a transparent portion (toner image portion). The image is recorded.

The TC film on which an image has been recorded due to the heat discoloration of the cloudy portion is conveyed toward the fixing means 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36. Here, at the time of recording an image on the TC film, the film surface of the TC film conveyed to the fixing unit 34 comes into contact with the heating roller 20 and is reheated, so that the image recorded on the film surface is imaged. In order to prevent the loss of heat, the heating roller 20 of the fixing means 34 is displaced in advance in the direction of arrow b in FIG.
The TC film is retracted to a position where it does not come into contact with the film surface (chain line position), that is, to a position where the heat of the heating roller 20 is not transferred to the TC film.

Further, at the time of recording an image on the TC film, the TC cleaning means 24 is operated by the arrow a in FIG.
And the rear surface of the TC film (the surface on which the toner image is not transferred) of the transport roller 38 which is a pair of rollers and has previously moved to a position displaced in the opposite direction (position shown by a chain line).
The blade 25 of the cleaning means 24 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the roller 38a located at. Here, the contact force of the blade 25 with respect to the roller 38a is the friction force between the roller 38a and the TC film.
It is set to be larger than the frictional force with the C film. As a result, the TC film that has passed through the fixing means 34 without being reheated is guided by the fixing outlet upper guide plate 22 and the fixing outlet lower guide plate 23, and then the roller 38.
It is conveyed according to the rotation of a. When the TC film is conveyed by the roller 38a, the toner transferred onto the film surface is scraped off by the blade 25. The toner scraped off from the film surface of the TC film is collected in the collection bottle 27 by the collection roller 26 provided in the cleaning unit 24.
The TC film on which the image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner in this manner is further conveyed by the conveying roller 38 including a pair of rollers. Then, the paper is guided by the paper discharge guide plate 28, and is discharged by the paper discharge rollers 29.
Is discharged above zero.

The other components of the second image forming apparatus are constructed in the same manner as the first image forming apparatus.

As described above, according to the second image forming apparatus, since the image can be formed on the TC film by using the conventional electrophotographic process for forming the image on the plain paper, the image recording on the TC film can be performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a large-scale dedicated image forming means to increase the cost and the device volume, and
The complication of the image forming control system can be suppressed, and the erasing means for initializing the used TC film is arranged in the image forming process, so that the TC film in any state can be set. Even if this T
The image is formed on the C film without any trouble, and the convenience of the apparatus is improved.

Next, the third image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. According to a third image forming apparatus of the present invention,
Similar to the image forming apparatus of (1), a common image forming means is used for a plain paper sheet (hereinafter, simply referred to as plain paper) and a reversible thermosensitive recording film; a thermochromic film (hereinafter, abbreviated as TC film). And an image can be recorded by the irradiation means 15 in the first image forming apparatus.
In addition, the TC cleaning means 24 as a toner removing means for removing the toner transferred onto the TC film is arranged downstream of the fixing means 34 in the film transport direction. This third image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 3, is similar to the first image forming apparatus in that the paper feed tray A
And paper feed tray B.
These paper feed trays A and B are arranged in parallel, and both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the TC film is set in the paper feed tray A and the plain paper is set in the paper feed tray B.

First, the image recording on the plain paper in the third image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 3, the plain paper in the bundle set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out from the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is separated by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Be transported. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 to a pair of registration rollers composed of the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller.
At this time, the front end of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the plain paper is set.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The toner supplied from the developing unit 4 visualizes the image. Then, the plain paper sent toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration roller rotating at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred and separated by the transfer separation means 8.
Thus, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10. The plain paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36A arranged on the back side of the conveyance guide plate 13. The plain paper conveyed to the fixing unit 34 is pressed and heated by a pair of pressure roller 19 and heating roller 20 to fix the transferred toner image. The plain paper having the toner image fixed thereon is conveyed while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 101 by the suction force of another fan 36 </ b> B provided on the back surface side of the guide plate 101 downstream of the fixing unit 34. A TC cleaning means 24 that functions only when recording an image on a TC film is disposed downstream of the guide plate 101, and when recording an image on plain paper,
This TC cleaning means 24 is indicated by an arrow a in FIG.
It is retracted to the position displaced in the direction (position shown by the solid line). As a result, the plain paper that is guided by the fixing outlet upper guide plate 22 and the fixing outlet lower guide plate 23 and discharged from the fixing unit 34 is in the state as it is, and the transport roller 3 is used.
Further, the sheet is further conveyed by 8, and is ejected onto a sheet ejection tray 30 by a sheet ejection roller 29 through a sheet ejection guide plate 28.

Next, the image recording on the TC film in the third image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG.
The bundle of TC films set in the paper feed tray A is pulled out from the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. TC conveyed by the paper feed roller 1
The film is conveyed by the conveyance roller 37 to a pair of registration rollers including the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and is abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller. At this time, the front end of the TC film is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing of writing an image on the TC film is set.

On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the optical unit 5 is attached to the photosensitive member 10.
The original image is written as a latent image by the
The latent image on 0 is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 to the TC film sent by the pre-registration sensor 31 toward the photoconductor 10 by the rotating registration roller at a timing. The TC film on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the fan 36A, and is pressed and heated by the pressure roller 19 and the heating roller 20 of the fixing unit 34. While being transported. At this time, the heating roller 20 is
The calorific value of the heater 21 is set so as to heat the TC film at a temperature at which the entire surface of the film is changed to a cloudy color. Therefore, in the third image forming apparatus, the TC film passes through the nip portion between the pressure roller 19 and the heating roller 20 of the fixing unit 34, so that the heating roller 2
When 0 is set, the entire surface of the TC film is heated to a temperature at which it turns into a cloudy color, so even if a recorded TC film is conveyed, the recorded image is automatically erased and
The C film is initialized. Here, since a film of silicon or the like having good releasability is formed on the film surface of the TC film, even if the film is pressed and heated by the pressure roller 19 and the heating roller 20 of the fixing means 34, this film Transfer toner does not adhere to the surface.

At the time of recording an image on the TC film, the TC film on which the toner image is transferred is attracted to the transport guide plate 101 by the suction force of the fan 36B arranged on the back side of the transport guide plate 101. When being conveyed while being conveyed, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 arranged so as to face the conveyance guide plate 101 across the conveyance path is turned on. The irradiation light of the irradiation lamp 16 is
By the reflection plate 17 and the condenser lens 18, the conveyance guide plate 1
The film surface of the TC film on 3 is focused and irradiated.
At this time, the TC film itself is in a cloudy state, and an unfixed toner image is transferred to the surface thereof. Therefore, the irradiation lamp 16, the reflection plate 17, and the condenser lens 1
The irradiation light that is irradiated and condensed by 8 is absorbed by the unfixed toner image portion that is the black portion of the film surface of the TC film, and raises the temperature of this black portion, but it causes other white turbidity on this film surface. The reflected light is reflected at the area (non-image area) and has no effect. As a result, a temperature difference occurs between the toner image portion and the non-image portion on the film surface of the TC film, and only the toner image portion of the TC film changes from the cloudy state to the transparent state due to this temperature difference, An image composed of a cloudy portion (non-image portion) and a transparent portion (toner image portion) is recorded on the TC film surface.

The TC film on which an image is recorded due to the heat discoloration of the cloudy portion in this way is the TC cleaning means 24.
The TC cleaning means 24 at the time of recording an image on the TC film that is conveyed toward the upper side is preliminarily elevated to a position displaced in the direction opposite to the arrow a in FIG. The blade 25 of the TC cleaning means 24 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the roller 38a, which is located on the back surface (the surface on which the toner image is not transferred) of the TC film of the transport rollers 38. Here, the contact force of the blade 25 with respect to the roller 38a is set so that the frictional force between the roller 38a and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the blade 25 and the TC film. As a result, the TC on which the image is recorded
The film is conveyed according to the rotation of the roller 38a.
When the TC film is conveyed by the roller 38a, the toner transferred onto the film surface is scraped off by the blade 25. The toner scraped off from the film surface of the TC film is collected in the collection bottle 27 by the collection roller 26 provided in the TC cleaning means 24. The TC film on which an image composed of a cloudy portion (non-image portion) and a transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner in this manner is further conveyed by the conveying roller 38 including a pair of rollers. Then, the sheet is guided by the sheet discharge guide plate 28 and discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 30 by the sheet discharge rollers 29.

The other components of the third image forming apparatus are constructed in the same manner as the first image forming apparatus.

As described above, according to the third image forming apparatus, since the image can be formed on the TC film by using the conventional electrophotographic process for forming the image on the plain paper, the image recording of the TC film is performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a large-scale dedicated image forming means to increase the cost and the device volume, and
Since it is possible to suppress the complication of the image forming control system and to initialize the TC film by the existing fixing means, even if the TC film in any state is set without providing a special erasing means. The image formation on the TC film can be performed without any trouble.

Next, the fourth image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. A fourth image forming apparatus of the present invention is the first image forming apparatus.
Similar to the image forming apparatus of (1), a common image forming means is used for a plain paper sheet (hereinafter, simply referred to as plain paper) and a reversible thermosensitive recording film; a thermochromic film (hereinafter, abbreviated as TC film). And an image can be recorded by the irradiation means 15 in the first image forming apparatus.
Further, the TC cleaning means 24 as a toner removing means for removing the toner transferred onto the TC film is arranged upstream of the fixing means 34 in the film transport direction. As shown in FIG. 4, this fourth image forming apparatus is similar to the first image forming apparatus in that the sheet feeding tray A
And paper feed tray B.
These paper feed trays A and B are arranged in parallel, and both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the TC film is set in the paper feed tray A and the plain paper is set in the paper feed tray B.

First, image recording on plain paper in the fourth image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 4, the bundle of plain papers set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out from the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is separated by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Be transported. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 to a pair of registration rollers composed of the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller.
At this time, the front end of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the plain paper is set.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The toner supplied from the developing unit 4 visualizes the image. Then, the plain paper sent toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration roller rotating at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred and separated by the transfer separation means 8.
Thus, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10. The plain paper on which the toner image has been transferred is attracted to the transport guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36 provided on the back surface side of the transport guide plate 13 while being sucked by the TC cleaning means 24.
And is conveyed toward the fixing unit 34. That is, at the time of recording an image on the plain paper, the TC cleaning means 24 retracts to the position displaced in the direction of the arrow a in FIG.
1 is also retracted to the position displaced in the direction of arrow c in FIG. 4 (the position indicated by the broken line). As a result, the plain paper that has passed through the TC cleaning means 24 and has been conveyed to the fixing means 34 is moved by the pair of pressure rollers 19 and heating rollers 20.
The toner image transferred by being pressed and heated is fixed.
The plain paper on which the toner image is fixed is guided by the fixing exit upper guide plate 22 and the fixing exit lower guide plate 23, and the plain paper discharged from the fixing unit 34 is further conveyed by the conveying roller 38 as it is. , A discharge tray 30 through a discharge guide plate 28 and a discharge roller 29.
Discharged on top.

Next, the image recording on the TC film in the fourth image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG.
The bundle of TC films set in the paper feed tray A is pulled out from the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. TC conveyed by the paper feed roller 1
The film is conveyed by the conveyance roller 37 to a pair of registration rollers including the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and is abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller. At this time, the front end of the TC film is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing of writing an image on the TC film is set.

On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the optical unit 5 is attached to the photoconductor 10.
The original image is written as a latent image by the
The latent image on 0 is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 to the TC film sent by the pre-registration sensor 31 toward the photoconductor 10 by the rotating registration roller at a timing. The TC film on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the fan 36. And when recording images on this TC film,
When the TC film to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36 arranged on the back side of the conveyance guide plate 13, the TC film is transferred to the conveyance guide plate 13. On the other hand, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 arranged facing each other across the transport path is turned on. The irradiation light of the irradiation lamp 16 is condensed and irradiated by the reflection plate 17 and the condenser lens 18 onto the film surface of the TC film on the transport guide plate 13. At this time, T
The C film itself is in a cloudy state, and an unfixed toner image is transferred to the surface thereof. Therefore, irradiation by the irradiation lamp 16, the reflection plate 17, and the condenser lens 18
The condensed irradiation light is absorbed by the unfixed toner image part which is the black part of the film surface of the TC film, and raises the temperature of this black part, but becomes a part of the film surface which becomes cloudy (non In the image part), it is reflected and has no effect. This causes a temperature difference between the toner image area and the non-image area on the film surface of the TC film.
Only the toner image portion of the film changes color from the cloudy state to the transparent state due to this temperature difference, so that an image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (toner image portion) is formed on the TC film surface. Will be recorded.

As described above, the TC film on which an image is recorded by the heat discoloration of the cloudy portion is the TC cleaning means 24.
The TC cleaning means 24 at the time of recording an image on the TC film that is conveyed toward the upper side is preliminarily moved to a position (position indicated by a chain line) displaced in the direction opposite to the arrow a in FIG. The blade 25 of the TC cleaning means 24 is in contact with the surface. Here, the contact force of the blade 25 with respect to the transport roller 111 is the frictional force between the transport roller 111 and the TC film.
It is set to be larger than the frictional force between the blade 25 and the TC film. As a result, the TC film on which the image is recorded is transported according to the rotation of the transport roller 111. Then, this TC film is used for the transport roller 1
The toner transferred onto the film surface when being conveyed by 11 is scraped off by the blade 25. The toner scraped off from the film surface of the TC film is collected in the collection bottle 27 by the collection roller 26 provided in the TC cleaning means 24. Then
The TC film on which the image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner in this manner is conveyed to the fixing unit 34. In the image forming apparatus of No. 4, in order to prevent the TC film from being heated by the heat of the heating roller 20 and the recorded image not to be lost, the heating roller 20 is moved in the direction of arrow b in FIG. It is configured so that the heat of the heating roller 20 is not transferred to the TC film on which the image is recorded. As a result, the TC film on which the image is recorded is further conveyed by the conveying roller 38 including a pair of rollers, and the paper discharge guide plate 28 is conveyed.
The sheet is guided by the sheet ejection roller 29 and is ejected onto the sheet ejection tray 30 by the sheet ejection roller 29.

Next, in the fourth image forming apparatus, T
The erasing step of initializing the image recorded on the C film will be described. In the fourth image forming apparatus, in order to reuse the used TC film on which an image has been once recorded, the entire surface of the TC film is heated to a temperature at which the transparent part (image part) of the TC film is changed to a cloudy color. do it. Therefore, in the fourth image forming apparatus, the same process as that for feeding plain paper may be executed without writing an image.

That is, specifically, first, the used TC film is set in the paper feed tray A or the paper feed tray B, and the paper feed roller 1, the transport roller 37, the registration driving roller 9, and the registration driven roller 40 are set. Thus, the used top TC film is fed and conveyed. At this time, the image signal is not sent and the optical unit 5 does not write an image as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 so that the toner is not attached to the photoconductor 10 by the developing means 4. As a result, the used TC film is
The toner passes through the transfer separation means 8 without being attached to the film surface. The used TC film that has been conveyed without toner adheres to it when passing through the fixing means 34.
The heating roller 20 of the fixing means 34 heats the entire surface of the TC film to a temperature at which the transparent part (image part) of the TC film is changed to a cloudy color. As a result, the entire surface of the TC film is initialized to a cloudy color, and the used image recorded by the transparent part and the cloudy part is erased. In this erasing step, since the toner is not attached to the film surface of the TC film, the TC cleaning means 24 moves to the arrow a in FIG. 4, and the transport roller 111 is also displaced in the arrow c direction in FIG. The blade 25 retreats to the position (position indicated by the broken line) and faces the state where the blade 25 is separated from the transport roller 111. The TC film thus initialized is further transported by the transport rollers 38, guided by the paper discharge guide plate 28, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 30 by the paper discharge rollers 29.

The other components of the fourth image forming apparatus are constructed in the same manner as the first image forming apparatus.

As described above, according to the fourth image forming apparatus, since the image can be formed on the TC film by using the conventional electrophotographic process for forming the image on the plain paper, the image recording on the TC film can be performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a large-scale dedicated image forming means to increase the cost and the device volume, and
Irradiation for forming an image on the TC film can be suppressed on the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction of the fixing means, which is an empty space in the conventional image forming apparatus using only plain paper, while suppressing the complication of the image forming control system. Since the means is provided, an image forming apparatus compatible with TC film can be realized with a volume substantially equal to that of the conventional image forming apparatus dedicated to plain paper. Further, according to the fourth image forming apparatus, since the toner carried on the TC film is removed on the upstream side of the fixing unit in the sheet conveying direction, the toner is scattered outside the developing / transfer section of the apparatus. In addition to the prevention, the toner carried on the TC film does not adhere to the fixing unit, so that the occurrence of an abnormal image during fixing is prevented and the reliability of the apparatus is improved.

Next explained is the fifth image forming apparatus of the invention. The fifth image forming apparatus of the present invention is the fourth image forming apparatus.
Similar to the image forming apparatus of (1), a common image forming means is used for a plain paper sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as plain paper) and a reversible thermosensitive recording film; a thermochromic film (hereinafter abbreviated as TC film). An image can be recorded by using the irradiation means 15 in the first embodiment and a TC cleaning means 24 as a toner removing means for removing the toner transferred on the TC film. And has a dedicated heat source for erasing the recorded image on the TC film to initialize the film surface.
As shown in FIG. 5, the fifth image forming apparatus has two paper feeding trays, that is, a paper feeding tray A and a paper feeding tray B, like the fourth image forming apparatus. These paper feed trays A and B are arranged in parallel, and both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the TC film is set in the paper feed tray A and the plain paper is set in the paper feed tray B.

First, the image recording on the plain paper in the fifth image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 5, the bundle of plain papers set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out from the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is separated by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Be transported. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 until it abuts against the nip portion of the registration drive roller 9 and the heat generation head 3. At this time, the front end of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the plain paper is set. Here, the contact force between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3 is set so that the frictional force between the registration driving roller 9 and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the heating head 3 and the TC film. . As a result, the plain paper is conveyed according to the rotation of the registration driving roller 9.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The toner supplied from the developing unit 4 visualizes the image. Then, the plain paper sent toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration driving roller 9 rotating at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred with a toner image from the photoconductor 10 by the transfer separation unit 8. The plain paper on which the toner image is transferred is the conveyance guide plate 1
By a suction force of a fan 36 arranged on the back side of the sheet 3, the sheet is conveyed to the fixing section 34 while passing through the TC cleaning section 24 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13. That is, when recording an image on this plain paper, this T
The C cleaning means 24 retracts to the position displaced in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 5 (the position indicated by the solid line), and the transport roller 111 retracts to the position displaced in the direction of the arrow c in FIG. 5 (the position indicated by the broken line). is doing. As a result, TC
The plain paper that has passed through the cleaning unit 24 and is conveyed to the fixing unit 34 is a pair of pressure roller 19 and heating roller 2.
When 0, the toner image transferred by being pressed and heated is fixed. The plain paper on which the toner image is fixed is guided by the fixing exit upper guide plate 22 and the fixing exit lower guide plate 23, and the plain paper discharged from the fixing unit 34 is further conveyed by the conveying roller 38 as it is. The paper is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 30 by the paper ejection roller 29 through the paper ejection guide plate 28.

Next, the image recording on the TC film in the fifth image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG.
The bundle of TC films set in the paper feed tray A is pulled out from the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. TC conveyed by the paper feed roller 1
The film is carried by the carrying roller 37 until it abuts against the nip portion between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3. At this time, the TC before registration 31
The leading edge of the film is detected, and the timing for writing an image on the TC film is set. Here, the contact force between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3 is set so that the frictional force between the registration driving roller 9 and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the heating head 3 and the TC film. . As a result, the plain paper is conveyed according to the rotation of the registration driving roller 9.

Further, the heating head 3 has a function of heating the TC film to a temperature at which the transparent portion (image portion) of the TC film is turned white turbid and is initialized. Therefore, in the fifth image forming apparatus, when the TC film passes through the nip portion between the resist driving roller 9 and the heat generating head 3, the heat generating head 3 heats the entire surface of the TC film to a temperature at which it becomes discolored into a cloudy color. The recorded image is automatically erased even when the recorded TC film is conveyed.

On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the optical unit 5 is attached to the photoconductor 10.
The original image is written as a latent image by the
The latent image on 0 is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 to the TC film sent by the pre-registration sensor 31 toward the photoconductor 10 by the rotating registration roller at a timing. The TC film on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the fan 36. And when recording images on this TC film,
When the TC film to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36 arranged on the back side of the conveyance guide plate 13, the TC film is transferred to the conveyance guide plate 13. On the other hand, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 arranged facing each other across the transport path is turned on. The irradiation light of the irradiation lamp 16 is condensed and irradiated by the reflection plate 17 and the condenser lens 18 onto the film surface of the TC film on the transport guide plate 13. At this time, T
The C film itself is in a cloudy state, and an unfixed toner image is transferred to the surface thereof. Therefore, irradiation by the irradiation lamp 16, the reflection plate 17, and the condenser lens 18
The condensed irradiation light is absorbed by the unfixed toner image part which is the black part of the film surface of the TC film, and raises the temperature of this black part, but becomes a part of the film surface which becomes cloudy (non In the image part), it is reflected and has no effect. This causes a temperature difference between the toner image area and the non-image area on the film surface of the TC film.
Only the toner image portion of the film changes color from the cloudy state to the transparent state due to this temperature difference, so that an image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (toner image portion) is formed on the TC film surface. Will be recorded.

As described above, the TC film on which an image is recorded due to the heat discoloration of the white turbid portion has the TC cleaning means 24.
The TC cleaning means 24 at the time of recording an image on the TC film that is conveyed toward the upper side of the TC film is preliminarily elevated to a position (position indicated by a chain line) displaced in the direction opposite to the arrow a in FIG. The blade 25 of the TC cleaning means 24 is in contact with the surface. Here, the contact force of the blade 25 with respect to the transport roller 111 is the frictional force between the transport roller 111 and the TC film.
It is set to be larger than the frictional force between the blade 25 and the TC film. As a result, the TC film on which the image is recorded is transported according to the rotation of the transport roller 111. Then, this TC film is used for the transport roller 1
The toner transferred onto the film surface when being conveyed by 11 is scraped off by the blade 25. The toner scraped off from the film surface of the TC film is collected in the collection bottle 27 by the collection roller 26 provided in the TC cleaning means 24. Then
The TC film on which the image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner in this manner is conveyed to the fixing unit 34. In the image forming apparatus of No. 5, in order to prevent the TC film from being heated by the heat of the heating roller 20 so that the recorded image is not lost, the heating roller 20 is located at the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. It is configured so that the heat of the heating roller 20 is not transferred to the TC film on which the image is recorded. As a result, the TC film on which the image is recorded is further conveyed by the conveying roller 38 including a pair of rollers, and the paper discharge guide plate 28 is conveyed.
The sheet is guided by the sheet ejection roller 29 and is ejected onto the sheet ejection tray 30 by the sheet ejection roller 29.

The other components of the fifth image forming apparatus are constructed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the fifth image forming apparatus, since the image can be formed on the TC film by using the conventional electrophotographic process for forming the image on the plain paper, the image recording on the TC film can be performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a large-scale dedicated image forming means to increase the cost and the device volume, and
Irradiation for forming an image on the TC film can be suppressed on the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction of the fixing means, which is an empty space in the conventional image forming apparatus using only plain paper, while suppressing the complication of the image forming control system. Since the means is provided, an image forming apparatus compatible with TC film can be realized with a volume substantially equal to that of the conventional image forming apparatus dedicated to plain paper. Further, according to the fifth image forming apparatus, the toner carried on the TC film is removed on the upstream side of the fixing means in the sheet conveying direction, so that toner is scattered in areas other than the developing / transfer portion of the apparatus. In addition to the prevention, the toner carried on the TC film does not adhere to the fixing means, so that the occurrence of an abnormal image during fixing is prevented and the reliability of the apparatus is improved. Further, according to the fifth image forming apparatus, since the erasing means for initializing the used TC film is provided in the image forming process, the TC film in any state is set. However, the image formation on the TC film is performed without any problem, and the convenience of the apparatus is improved.

Next, FIG. 6 shows an overall control block diagram of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus. Various inputs of the image forming apparatus,
The output and the control signal are the main control unit 901 shown in FIG.
Are collectively processed in. In FIG. 6, as the operation request input to the main control unit 109, a setting input by an operator pressing a key from the operation unit 903 as shown in FIG. Image information from the information input unit 904,
There are commands, etc. The inputs for controlling the apparatus include a timing detection signal from the pre-registration sensor 31, the paper discharge sensor 32, and a temperature detection signal from the thermistor T. Output from the main controller 901,
The control signals are the feed roller 1, the registration driving roller 9, the heating head 3, the optical unit 5, the developing unit 4, the charging unit 6, the transfer / separation unit 8, the photoconductor 10, and the conveyance switching unit 1.
2, irradiation means 15, pressure roller 19, heating roller 20,
The data is output to the heater 21, the TC cleaning unit 24, the discharge roller 29, and other control targets. Here, the control program and various setting data necessary for executing the program are stored in a storage unit 902 such as a ROM.
In addition, an internal timer 905 is used for timing generation during operation.

ONE-like the image forming apparatus
As a control example of the PATH system, a timing chart of the image recording operation on the TC film is shown in FIG. 8 and a timing chart of the image recording operation on the plain paper is shown in FIG.
That is, at the time of recording an image on the TC film, as shown in FIG. 8, first, by receiving the start signal, the paper feed roller 1 is activated to start the feeding of the TC film (in the apparatus having the heating head 3). In this case, the heating head 3 is turned on before this), and at the same time, the operations of the developing unit 4, the charging unit 6, and the paper discharge roller 29 are started, and
Fixing means 3 so that the TC film passes through the fixing section.
The position of 4 is changed. Next, reception of image information from the image information input unit 904 is started, and based on the detection signal of the TC film front end of the pre-registration sensor 31, the paper feed roller 1
Is stopped, the writing of image information to the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5 is started, the registration drive roller 9 is started at a timing, and then the transfer separation unit 8
The irradiation means 15 and the TC cleaning means 24 are activated respectively. Then, when the input of the image information is completed, the operations of the optical unit 5 and the charging means 6 are stopped, and the registration driving roller 9 is stopped based on the detection signal of the TC film rear end of the pre-registration sensor 31. Further, when the discharge completion of the TC film is detected by the discharge sensor 32, the transfer separation unit 8 and the developing unit 4 are stopped, and subsequently, the discharge roller 29, the irradiation unit 15, the fixing unit 34, and the TC cleaning. The operation of the means 24 is stopped.

When recording an image on plain paper, first, as shown in FIG. 9, by receiving a start signal,
The paper feed roller 1 is activated to start the feeding of plain paper (in the case of a device having the heat generating head 3, before the heat generating head 3
At the same time, at the same time, the operations of the developing unit 4, the charging unit 6, and the paper discharge roller 29 are started, and the position of the fixing unit 34 is changed so that the plain paper passes through the fixing unit. The heater 21 is turned on to activate the fixing means 34. Next, reception of image information from the image information input unit 904 is started, the paper feed roller 1 is stopped based on the detection signal of the front edge of the plain paper from the pre-registration sensor 31, and the image is formed on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5. The writing of information is started, the registration driving roller 9 is activated at a timing, and then the transfer separation unit 8 is activated. And
When the input of the image information is completed, the operations of the optical unit 5 and the charging means 6 are stopped, and the registration driving roller 9 is stopped based on the detection signal of the rear end of the plain paper of the pre-registration sensor 31. Further, when the completion of the discharge of the plain paper is detected by the paper discharge sensor 32, the transfer separation unit 8,
And the developing means 4 are stopped, and the discharge rollers 29,
The operation of the fixing means 34 is stopped.

On the other hand, in FIG. 7, the timer key 701
Is pressed when setting the time of the timer, and the timer display 702 is turned on when the timer is set by the timer key 701 and when the timer is operating. Also, the program key 703
Is pressed when the program is stored and when the program is called, and the program display 704 is turned on when the program is being used. The enter key 705 is pressed when changing the dimensions, setting the editing function, and setting the program number. The ten-key pad 706 is pressed when setting the number of copies (image recording), changing the size, setting the binding margin width, setting the program, and setting the program number. The guidance key 707 is pressed when it is desired to display a copy operation method or an explanation of the operation of each key on the guidance display unit 708. When the guidance key 707 is being used, the guidance key display 708 is lit. Various information is displayed on the display panel 709. The size scaling key 710 is pressed when inputting the size of the document, and in the size scaling selection state, the size scaling display 711 is turned on. The centering key 712 is pressed to move the copy image to the center of the paper (plain paper or TC film), and the centering display 713 is lit in the centering selection state. Binding adjustment key 71
4 is pressed to make a binding margin (margin) on the left and right of the copy, and the binding margin display 715 displays the selected binding margin. The sorter key 719 is pressed when the sorter is used, and when the sorter is used and the sort state is set,
The sort display 717 is turned on (optional). The stack display 718 is turned on when the sorter is used and is in the stack state (optional). The double-sided key 720 is pressed to make a double-sided copy, and in the double-sided copy state, the double-sided display 716 is turned on. The page continuous copy key 722 is used for automatically copying a two-sided original document one by one and for automatically copying a two-sided document (however, this two-sided document requires an optional automatic paper feeder; DF) one-sided. In the page continuous shooting state, the page continuous shooting display 721 is turned on. Erase key 72
4 is pressed when making an edit copy such as frame erase, outside erase, and inside erase, and in the state of this edit copy, the erase display 723 is turned on. The paper designation scaling key 726 is pressed to make a paper designation scaling copy, and in the state of the paper designation scaling copy, the paper designation scaling display 725 is turned on. The zoom scaling key 727 is pressed when freely selecting the copy magnification. The reduction key 728 is pressed when making a reduction copy. The enlargement key 729 is pressed when making an enlargement copy. The current key 730 is pressed when returning to the current copy. The paper selection key 731 is
Pressed when selecting the copy paper size. The automatic paper selection key 732 is pressed when the size of copy paper is automatically selected. The density adjustment key 733 is pressed when adjusting the shade of a copy image. Automatic concentration key 7
Reference numeral 34 is pressed when the density of the copy image is automatically adjusted. The clear / stop key 735 is pressed when it is desired to change the set number of sheets, when it is desired to stop continuous copying in the middle, and when the program number is set. The start key 736 is pressed when making a copy, that is, when forming an image on plain paper or TC film. The interrupt key 737 is pressed when it is desired to interrupt another document for copying during the continuous copying. The preheat display 738 is turned on when the heat generating portion of the device is in the preheat state. The mode clear / preheat key 739 is pressed when returning various modes to the standard mode, when switching between the preheat state and the normal state, and when setting the program number. The cover mode key 740 is pressed when attaching a cover and making a copy. TC mode key 741
Pressed when recording an image on TC film. The additional image formation mode key 742 is pressed when additional image formation is performed on the TC film. One-touch print key 743 is TC
Pressed when recording again on plain paper after trial recording on film.

By the way, as described above, the reversible thermosensitive recording film; the thermochromic film (hereinafter abbreviated as TC film) forms and erases an image when the temperature changes, especially when it becomes high. When an image is formed on a TC film together with a plain paper sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as plain paper), it is necessary to prevent the heat of the fixing portion of the plain paper from affecting the image recorded on the TC film. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus described below, the first transport path for transporting the plain paper before the TC film reaches the fixing portion of the plain paper (hereinafter, this first transport path is referred to as a plain paper transport path). )) Provided separately from the above, a second transport path dedicated to TC film for transporting only TC film (hereinafter, this second transport path is referred to as TC transport path)
By conveying the C film, the influence of heat of the fixing portion of the plain paper on the TC film is avoided. Here, the TC film transport path is branched on the upstream side (front side) of the fixing unit and merges with the plain paper transport path at least on the downstream side (rear side) of the fixing device, or on the plain paper path. It is formed so as to serve as a path for discharging the TC film as it is without merging. This eliminates the need to make the fixing unit movable or to turn on / off the fixing means each time the image forming mode is changed in order to avoid an adverse effect on the image on the TC film when passing through the fixing unit. It is possible to form an image on a TC film by using an electrophotographic process for forming an image on an existing plain paper sheet without adding a large-scale image forming means dedicated to the film, and a plain paper sheet and a TC film. And an image forming apparatus using a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of rapidly changing the image forming mode, increasing cost and apparatus volume, and suppressing complication of the image forming control system are realized. .. Here, in contrast to the above-described image forming apparatus having only the plain paper transport path, this image forming apparatus has two transport paths, that is, a plain paper transport path and a TC transport path. The former is called a 1-pass system and the latter is called a 2-pass system to distinguish them.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the transport path of the two-pass system.
Shown in. In FIG. 10, the TC film is passed through a transfer / separation section between the transfer / separation means 8 and the photoconductor 10 and then on the upstream side of the plain paper fixing means 34 disposed on the downstream side of the transfer / separation means 8. , And is fed to the TC transport path 55 branched from the plain paper transport path 13. The TC transport path 55 shown in FIG. 10 is formed like a bypass of the fixing means 34, and joins the plain paper transport path 13 again at the downstream portion of the fixing means 34, and is connected to the TC transport path 55. The sent TC film is discharged by the paper discharge roller 29 through the paper discharge path formed by the paper discharge guide plate 28 and common to the plain paper. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, since the TC film, which is easily influenced by temperature, is transported while avoiding the fixing portion of the plain paper, the unit of the fixing means 34 is made movable, or the image forming mode is changed to the plain paper mode. It is not necessary to turn on / off the fixing means 34 every time the TC film mode is changed. Further, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10, since one sheet discharging means (sheet discharging tray) is shared in each of the plain paper mode and the TC film mode, the sheet discharging means can be simplified. The cost can be reduced.

Here, the TC film sent to the TC transport path 55 is not merged into the plain paper transport path 13, but the TC film is placed in a discharge tray dedicated to the TC film provided separately from the plain paper discharge tray. The image forming apparatus having such a structure may be configured so that the TC is discharged as it is.
Since the film and the plain paper can be separately discharged, the transfer material (paper) in different modes (plain paper mode and TC film mode) can be easily determined and the operability thereof is improved. In addition, as described above, in the image forming apparatus in which the plain paper transport path and the TC transport path each have an independent paper discharge tray (paper discharge means), as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the switching means for switching the transport path of the TC film and the TC transport path 55 on the downstream side of the plain paper fixing means 34 so that the discharge tray for discharging the TC film can be selected. By providing the merging path 38 for merging with the paper discharge tray of 13, for example, TC
By using the film for input confirmation of a word processor or the like, receiving a facsimile, and using plain paper for clear copy, it is possible to discharge the paper according to the purpose to each discharge tray by dividing the use of each paper. As described above, according to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 11, since the image forming apparatus has the two discharge trays, the sheets are separately discharged in the plain paper mode and the TC film mode, which have different purposes. In addition, the operability is improved, and it is possible to switch the paper to be divided into two paper discharge trays or to collect the paper into one paper discharge tray according to a user's request. , It can correspond to the user's detailed settings.

By the way, in forming an image on a TC film, the toner transferred to the TC film is heated by irradiation with light, and the film surface of only the portion where the toner image (original image) is formed is transparent from a cloudy color to transparent. An irradiation unit 15 for forming an image by discoloring the toner, and a TC cleaning unit 24 as a toner removing unit for removing the toner transferred and carried on the TC film from the film surface after the image formation. Is configured to operate (details will be described later). Therefore, as described above, plain paper and T
In the image forming apparatus configured to selectively convey the C film and form an image, the irradiation means 15 and the T
By setting the arrangement of the C cleaning means 24 as shown in FIGS. 12 to 16, different characteristics can be provided. The image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is an example in which the irradiation unit 15 and the TC cleaning unit 24 are arranged in the common conveyance path for plain paper and TC film, respectively. In this image forming apparatus, the devices such as the irradiation unit 15 and the TC cleaning unit 24 are
Since it is not arranged in the TC transport path 55, the structure of the TC transport path 55 can be easily configured. Particularly, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 12, the irradiation unit 15 and the TC cleaning unit 24 are arranged on the upstream side of the branch portion of the TC transport path 55. As a result, in this image forming apparatus, the TC film on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer separation unit 8 is
After the image is formed by the irradiation unit 15 and the toner on the film surface is removed by the TC cleaning unit 24,
By the switching claw provided at the branch portion of the TC transport path 55, TC
It is transported to the transport path 55. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, the structure of the TC transport path 55 can be simply configured, and since the image formation and the toner cleaning on the TC film are completed before the branch portion of the TC transport path 55, the TC transport path 55 is completed. There is no risk of toner scattering inside,
The C transport path 55 can be kept clean.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14 is an example in which the irradiation means 15 is arranged in the TC transport path 55. In this image forming apparatus, the TC film on which the toner image is transferred is
After being transported to the TC transport path 55, the irradiation means 15 visualizes the image. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus,
Since the irradiation means 15 as a radiant heat source for visualizing the TC film is not arranged on the common conveyance path of the plain paper and the TC film, the image forming mode is changed from the TC film mode to the plain paper mode. Even if the plain paper is conveyed immediately after the TC film mode, the residual heat of the irradiation means 15 does not deteriorate the toner transferred onto the plain paper. Further, according to this image forming apparatus, since the plain paper is not curled by the residual heat of the irradiation means 15, the transportability thereof is improved. In FIG. 14, the TC film visualized by the irradiating means 15 is transferred by the TC cleaning means 24 arranged in the common conveying path of the plain paper and the TC film where the TC conveying path 55 merges again.
Toner is removed from the film surface. For this reason,
The TC cleaning unit 24 of the image forming apparatus is configured to withdraw from the common transport path in the plain paper mode so as not to interfere with the transport of the plain paper.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 15 is an example in which the TC cleaning means 24 is arranged in the TC transport path 55. In this image forming apparatus, the TC film on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer / separation unit 8 is first irradiated by the irradiation unit 15.
Is visualized by. Then, this visualized TC
The film is transported to the TC transport path 55 by the switching claw provided at the branch portion of the TC transport path 55.
After the toner on the film surface has been removed by the TC cleaning means 24 in 5, the TC transport path 55 is transported to the common transport path for the plain paper and the TC film that merge again.
Therefore, according to this image forming apparatus, since the toner cleaning for the TC film is completed before the confluent portion of the TC transport path 55, the plain paper is not contaminated by the scattering of the toner removed from the TC film. ,
It is possible to prevent adverse effects on the image in the plain paper mode.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 16, the irradiation means 15 and the TC cleaning means 24 are provided in the TC transport path 55.
This is an example of arranging. In this image forming apparatus, the TC film on which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer separation unit 8 is
While being conveyed to the TC conveyance path 55 by the switching claw provided at the branch portion of the C conveyance path 55, the irradiation means 15 visualizes the image and the TC cleaning means 24 removes the toner on the film surface. Be done. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, there is no means other than the image forming means for the plain paper on the plain paper conveying path 13, so that the irradiation means 15 is provided.
There is no adverse effect on the image on the plain paper due to the residual heat and the toner scattering in the TC cleaning means 24. Further, in this image forming apparatus, since the means arranged in the common conveying path is only the means necessary for forming an image on the plain paper, the common conveying path can be formed short, and further, the fixing means 34 can be formed. Even if there is a failure or during residual heat, copy output can be performed using the TC film mode, and conversely, if an abnormality occurs in the irradiation unit 15 or the TC cleaning unit 24, these are output. It is possible to perform image formation in the plain paper mode using the common conveyance path in which the irradiation unit 15 and the TC cleaning unit 24 are not arranged.

By the way, in each of the image forming apparatuses shown in FIGS. 10 to 16, the toner carrying surfaces of plain paper and TC film are arranged to face downward. Therefore, in any of these image forming apparatuses, when cleaning the toner carried on the TC film by the TC cleaning means 24, the toner on the surface of the TC film follows gravity, so that the cleaning of the toner is not possible. It is easy to do, and the toner is less likely to scatter during toner removal. When the plain paper and the TC film are configured such that the toner-bearing surface faces upward, the toner transferred onto the film surface does not drop off accidentally before cleaning, The TC transport path 55 through which the TC film is transported in the adhered state can be kept clean.

The specific structure of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 16 will be described below. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 17 has two paper feed trays, a paper feed tray A and a paper feed tray B. These paper feed trays A and B are arranged in parallel, and both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, the TC film is placed in the sheet feed tray A, and the TC tray is placed in the sheet feed tray B.
It is assumed that plain paper is set in.

First, image recording on plain paper in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 17 will be described. In FIG. 17, the bundle of plain papers set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out from the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the uppermost one sheet is rotated by the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Be transported. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 to a pair of registration rollers composed of the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller. At this time, the front end of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the plain paper is set.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The toner supplied from the developing unit 4 visualizes the image. Then, the plain paper sent toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration roller rotating at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred and separated by the transfer separation means 8.
Thus, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10. The plain paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13a by the suction force of the fan 36 arranged on the back side of the conveyance guide plate 13a. The plain paper conveyed to the fixing unit 34 is pressed and heated by a pair of pressure roller 19 and heating roller 20 to fix the transferred toner image. And
The plain paper discharged from the fixing unit 34 is guided by the fixing exit upper guide plate 22 and the fixing exit lower guide plate 23, passes through the paper discharge guide plate 28, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 30 by the paper discharge rollers 29.

Next, image recording on the TC film in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 17 will be described. In this image forming apparatus, a TC film, which has been initialized (whitened) to erase an image, is set in a paper feed tray A. In FIG. 17, the bundle of TC films set in the paper feed tray A is pulled out of the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is separated by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Be transported. The TC film conveyed by the paper feed roller 1 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 37.
As a result, it is conveyed to a pair of registration rollers composed of the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and is abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller. On this occasion,
The front end of the TC film is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the TC film is set.

On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the optical unit 5 is attached to the photosensitive member 10.
The original image is written as a latent image by the
The latent image on 0 is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 to the TC film sent by the pre-registration sensor 31 toward the photoconductor 10 by the rotating registration roller at a timing. The image forming process on the TC film thus far is the same as the image forming process on the plain paper described above.

In this way, the TC film on which the toner image is formed on the film surface is
By the switching claw 12 arranged at the branch portion with respect to the transport path 55, it is transported toward the TC transport path 55. Here, when the toner image is transferred to the lower surface side of the TC film as in this image forming apparatus, the toner carried on the TC film is rubbed by the switching operation of the switching claw 12 and the TC film is transferred. The upper side of the TC film transport path, that is, TC
A switching claw 12 is provided on the back side of the film.

The switching claw 12 allows the T film dedicated to the TC film.
The TC film transported to the C transport path 55 reaches the TC film transport unit 59. The irradiation means 15 is arranged at the opposite portion of the TC film transport unit 59, and when recording an image on the TC film, the TC film to which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the endless belt by the TC film transport unit 59. When being conveyed while being adsorbed by 67, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 is turned on. The irradiation light of the irradiation lamp 16 is condensed and irradiated by the reflection plate 17 and the condenser lens 18 onto the film surface of the TC film which is conveyed while being attracted to the endless belt 67. In this way, by arranging the irradiation means 15 at the facing portion of the TC film transport unit 59, the irradiation means 1
It is possible to convey the TC film while accurately aligning the image surface of the TC film with the focal point of the radiant heat by 5.

At this time, the TC film itself is in a cloudy state, and an unfixed toner image is transferred on the surface thereof. Therefore, the irradiation lamp 16 and the reflector 17,
The irradiation light emitted and condensed by the condenser lens 18 is TC
It is absorbed in the unfixed toner image part which is the black part of the film surface and raises the temperature of this black part, but it is reflected in the other part of the film surface which becomes cloudy (non-image part), Does not give the effect of. This gives T
A temperature difference occurs between the toner image portion and the non-image portion of the film surface of the C film, and the toner image of this TC film is
When the temperature rises, the white turbid state changes to a transparent state to be visualized, and an image composed of a white turbid portion (non-image portion) and a transparent portion (toner image portion) is recorded on the TC film surface.

As described above, since the TC film heats the film surface to form an image, it is necessary to provide a heat countermeasure in the TC transport path 55 near the fixing unit 34 for plain paper. . Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, a heat insulating material 56 is attached to the back surface of the guide plate 55a of the TC transport path 55 near the fixing unit 34 to prevent the heat of the fixing unit 34 from adversely affecting the TC film. . Further, in this image forming apparatus, the irradiation section cover 61 is arranged above the irradiation means 15, and the TC transport path 55 is provided.
In addition to the fact that the irradiation means 15 is arranged at the inclined portion of the above, the invasion of dust into the optical system of the irradiation means 15 is prevented.

The TC film on which the image is recorded in this manner is conveyed toward the TC cleaning means 24 provided in the TC conveying path 55 by the conveying force of the TC film conveying rollers 58 that grip the both sides of the TC film. It As a result, the toner carried on the TC film is removed by the blade 25 of the cleaning means 24 provided so as to face the peripheral surface of the transport roller 38a located on the back surface (the surface on which the toner image is not transferred) of the TC film. Be scraped off.
Here, the contact force of the blade 25 with respect to the transport roller 38a is set so that the frictional force between the transport roller 38a and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the blade 25 and the TC film. As a result, the toner scraped from the film surface of the TC film is collected in the collection bottle 27 by the collection roller 26 provided in the cleaning unit 24. In this way, the TC film on which the image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner is further conveyed by the conveying rollers 38a, 38b, 38c. The paper is guided by the paper discharge guide plate 28 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 30 by the paper discharge rollers 29.

In this image forming apparatus, in order to initialize (erase) the image recorded on the TC film and reuse the used TC film on which the image is once recorded, the transparent TC film is used. The entire surface of the TC film may be heated to a temperature at which a part (image part) is changed to a cloudy color. Therefore, the TC that has been used in this image forming apparatus is
In order to reuse the film, as described above, the same process as that for feeding the plain paper may be executed without writing the image.

On the other hand, in FIG. 17, the paper feed guide plate 2
The plain paper and the TC film fed by the paper feed roller 1 are the registration drive roller 9 and the registration driven roller 4.
It has a function of guiding while being conveyed to 0. The pre-transfer guide plate 11 is a plain paper or TC conveyed by the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40.
It has a function of guiding the film toward the photoconductor 10. The fixing entrance upper guide plate 14 and the fixing entrance lower guide plate 39 have a function of guiding the plain paper separated and conveyed from the photoconductor 10 to the nip portion of the pressure roller 19 and the heating roller 20 of the fixing unit 34. . The thermistor T provided in the fixing unit 34 has a function of detecting the surface temperature of the heating roller 20, and the heat generation amount of the heater 21 arranged in the heating roller 20 is controlled based on this detection signal. By doing so, the heating temperature of the heating roller 20 is changed. The charging unit 6 arranged around the photoconductor 10 has a function of initializing the surface potential of the photoconductor 10 by discharging. A paper discharge sensor 32, which is arranged on the paper feed path of the paper discharge guide plate 28, detects whether or not the plain paper or TC film conveyed from the fixing unit 34 has passed at a predetermined timing, and jams the plain paper or TC film. Etc. are being detected. The paper discharge switching claw 57 has a function of guiding the plain paper and the TC film toward the paper discharge guide plate 28 at a position where the plain paper transport path and the TC transport path 55 merge. In addition, the guide belt 60 is
It is stretched over the transport rollers 38b and 38c, and has a function of guiding the TC film so that the toner-bearing surface of the TC film is transported so as to correctly correspond to the cleaning blade 25.

Next, with reference to FIG. 18, another specific structure will be described, taking the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 16 as an example. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
An image can be recorded on the TC film by using a common image forming means, and a dedicated heat source for erasing the recorded image on the TC film to initialize the film surface is provided. It is characterized by that. As shown in FIG. 18, this image forming apparatus has two paper feeding trays, a paper feeding tray A and a paper feeding tray B, like the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. These paper feed trays A and B are arranged in parallel, and both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, the TC film is placed in the sheet feed tray A, and the TC tray is placed in the sheet feed tray B.
It is assumed that plain paper is set in.

First, image recording on plain paper in this image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 18, the bundle of plain paper set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out from the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is separated by the separation pad 35 by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1. Be transported. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 until it abuts against the nip portion of the registration drive roller 9 and the heat generation head 3. At this time, the front end of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the plain paper is set. Here, the contact force between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3 is set so that the frictional force between the registration driving roller 9 and the plain paper is larger than the frictional force between the heating head 3 and the plain paper. . As a result, the plain paper is conveyed according to the rotation of the registration driving roller 9.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The toner supplied from the developing unit 4 visualizes the image. Then, the plain paper sent toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration driving roller 9 rotating at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred with a toner image from the photoconductor 10 by the transfer separation unit 8. The plain paper on which the toner image is transferred is the conveyance guide plate 1
By the suction force of the fan 36 disposed on the back surface side of the sheet 3, the sheet is conveyed toward the fixing unit 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13. The plain paper conveyed to the fixing unit 34 is conveyed by the pair of pressure roller 19 and heating roller 20.
The toner image transferred by being pressed and heated is fixed.
Then, the plain paper discharged from the fixing unit 34 is guided by the fixing outlet upper guide plate 22 and the fixing outlet lower guide plate 23, passes through the paper discharging guide plate 28, and is discharged to the paper discharging roller 2.
The sheet 9 is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 30.

Next, the image recording on the TC film in this image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG.
The bundle of TC films set in the paper feed tray A is pulled out from the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1, and only the topmost sheet is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. TC conveyed by the paper feed roller 1
The film is carried by the carrying roller 37 until it abuts against the nip portion between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3. At this time, the TC before registration 31
The leading edge of the film is detected, and the timing for writing an image on the TC film is set. Here, the contact force between the registration driving roller 9 and the heating head 3 is set so that the frictional force between the registration driving roller 9 and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the heating head 3 and the TC film. . As a result, the plain paper is conveyed according to the rotation of the registration driving roller 9.

Further, the heating head 3 has a function of heating the TC film to a temperature at which the transparent portion (image portion) of the TC film is turned white turbid and is initialized. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, when the TC film passes through the nip portion between the resist driving roller 9 and the heating head 3, the heating head 3 heats the entire surface of the TC film to a temperature at which the TC film turns into a cloudy color, and the recording is completed. The recorded image is automatically erased even when the TC film is conveyed.

On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the optical unit 5 is attached to the photosensitive member 10.
The original image is written as a latent image by the
The latent image on 0 is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 to the TC film sent by the pre-registration sensor 31 toward the photoconductor 10 by the rotating registration roller at a timing.

In this way, the TC film on which the toner image is formed on the film surface is
By the switching claw 12 arranged at the branch portion with respect to the transport path 55, it is transported toward the TC transport path 55. Here, when the toner image is transferred to the lower surface side of the TC film as in this image forming apparatus, the toner carried on the TC film is rubbed by the switching operation of the switching claw 12 and the TC film is transferred. The upper side of the TC film transport path, that is, TC
A switching claw 12 is provided on the back side of the film.

[0117] The switching claw 12 is used to
The TC film transported to the C transport path 55 reaches the TC film transport unit 59. The irradiation means 15 is arranged at the opposite portion of the TC film transport unit 59, and when recording an image on the TC film, the TC film to which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the endless belt by the TC film transport unit 59. When being conveyed while being adsorbed by 67, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 is turned on. The irradiation light of the irradiation lamp 16 is condensed and irradiated by the reflection plate 17 and the condenser lens 18 onto the film surface of the TC film which is conveyed while being attracted to the endless belt 67. In this way, by arranging the irradiation means 15 at the facing portion of the TC film transport unit 59, the irradiation means 1
It is possible to convey the TC film while accurately aligning the image surface of the TC film with the focal point of the radiant heat by 5.

At this time, the TC film itself is in a cloudy state, and an unfixed toner image is transferred on the surface thereof. Therefore, the irradiation lamp 16 and the reflector 17,
The irradiation light emitted and condensed by the condenser lens 18 is TC
It is absorbed in the unfixed toner image part which is the black part of the film surface and raises the temperature of this black part, but it is reflected in the other part of the film surface which becomes cloudy (non-image part), Does not give the effect of. This gives T
A temperature difference occurs between the toner image portion and the non-image portion of the film surface of the C film, and the toner image of this TC film is
When the temperature rises, the white turbid state changes to a transparent state to be visualized, and an image composed of a white turbid portion (non-image portion) and a transparent portion (toner image portion) is recorded on the TC film surface.

By the way, as described above, since the TC film heats the film surface to form an image, it is necessary to provide a heat countermeasure in the TC transport path 55 near the fixing means 34 for plain paper. . Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, a heat insulating material 56 is attached to the back surface of the guide plate 55a of the TC transport path 55 near the fixing unit 34 to prevent the heat of the fixing unit 34 from adversely affecting the TC film. . Further, in this image forming apparatus, the irradiation section cover 61 is arranged above the irradiation means 15, and the TC transport path 55 is provided.
In addition to the fact that the irradiation means 15 is arranged at the inclined portion of the above, the invasion of dust into the optical system of the irradiation means 15 is prevented.

The TC film on which the image is recorded in this manner is conveyed toward the TC cleaning means 24 provided in the TC conveying path 55 by the conveying force of the TC film conveying rollers 58 which grip the both sides of the TC film. It As a result, the toner carried on the TC film is removed by the blade 25 of the cleaning means 24 provided so as to face the peripheral surface of the transport roller 38a located on the back surface (the surface on which the toner image is not transferred) of the TC film. Be scraped off.
Here, the contact force of the blade 25 with respect to the transport roller 38a is set so that the frictional force between the transport roller 38a and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the blade 25 and the TC film. As a result, the toner scraped from the film surface of the TC film is collected in the collection bottle 27 by the collection roller 26 provided in the cleaning unit 24. In this way, the TC film on which the image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner is further conveyed by the conveying rollers 38a, 38b, 38c. The paper is guided by the paper discharge guide plate 28 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 30 by the paper discharge rollers 29.

The other components of this image forming apparatus are constructed in the same manner as the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 18, since it is possible to form an image on TC film by using the conventional electrophotographic process for forming an image on plain paper,
Since it is not necessary to add a large-scale dedicated image forming means for recording an image on the TC film, the cost and the apparatus volume increase,
In addition, it is possible to suppress the complication of the image forming control system, and since the erasing means for initializing the used TC film is provided in the image forming process, the TC film in any state can be obtained. Even if it is set, the image on this TC film is imaged without problems,
The convenience of the device is improved.

Next, with reference to FIG. 19, another specific configuration will be described, taking the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 16 as an example. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 19 can record an image on plain paper and TC film by using a common image forming means, and sets the recorded TC film in a dedicated TC film feed tray. By doing so, every time the recorded TC film is fed, the recorded image on the TC film is erased in advance by using the heat of the fixing means of the plain paper to initialize the film surface. Is characterized by. As shown in FIG. 19, this image forming apparatus has three paper feed trays, a paper feed tray A, a paper feed tray B, and a TC film paper feed tray 71. These paper feed trays A and B are arranged in parallel, and both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the TC film is set in the paper feed tray A and the plain paper is set in the paper feed tray B. However, this paper feed tray A or paper feed tray B
The TC film set in is a TC that has been initialized in advance.
The recorded TC film with only the film is set in the TC film feed tray 71.

First, image recording on plain paper in this image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 19, the bundle of plain paper set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out from the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the uppermost one sheet is rotated by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Be transported. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 to a pair of registration rollers composed of the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller.
At this time, the front end of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the plain paper is set.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The toner supplied from the developing unit 4 visualizes the image. Then, the plain paper sent toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration roller rotating at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred and separated by the transfer separation means 8.
Thus, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10. The plain paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13a by the suction force of the fan 36 arranged on the back side of the conveyance guide plate 13a. The plain paper conveyed to the fixing unit 34 is pressed and heated by a pair of pressure roller 19 and heating roller 20 to fix the transferred toner image. And
The plain paper discharged from the fixing unit 34 is guided by the fixing exit upper guide plate 22 and the fixing exit lower guide plate 23, passes through the paper discharge guide plate 28, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 30 by the paper discharge rollers 29.

Next, the image recording on the TC film in this image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG.
The bundle of TC films set in the paper feed tray A has been initialized in advance, and this TC film is pulled out from the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1 and separated from the separation pad 35.
Thus, only the topmost sheet is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 1. Hereinafter, when image recording is performed on the TC film which has been initialized in advance, after image recording is performed in the same manner as in the case of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 30 by the sheet discharge roller 29.

On the other hand, when an image is recorded on the recorded TC film, the TC film is set on the TC paper feed tray 71 with its image forming surface facing downward. The TC film feeding tray 71 is provided with a TC film calling roller 72 and a TC film separating means 76. The TC film is a TC film calling roller 72.
And the frictional separation between the TC film separating means 76 and the TC film initializing roller 73, the lower (lower) TC film is sequentially fed. The TC film initialization roller 73 is the pressure roller 1 of the fixing unit 34.
9 is arranged so as to rotate in contact with 9, so that the separated and fed TC film is heated by the pressure roller 19 at the nip between the TC film initialization roller 73 and the pressure roller 19. Then, the recorded image on the film surface is erased (initialized). That is,
Here, the TC film initialization roller 73 and the pressure roller 1
The contact force with 9 is TC film initialization roller 73 and TC
The frictional force with the film is set to be larger than the frictional force with the pressure roller 19 and the TC film. As a result, the TC film is transferred to the TC film initialization roller 7
It is conveyed according to the rotation of 3.

The pressure roller 19 is the heating roller 20.
The transparent portion (image portion) of the TC film is heated to a temperature at which the transparent portion (image portion) is discolored into a white turbid color and is initialized by being rotated in contact with. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, when the TC film passes through the nip portion between the TC film initializing roller 73 and the pressure roller 19, the pressure roller 19 heats the entire surface of the TC film to a temperature at which it turns into a cloudy color. Then, when the recorded TC film is conveyed, the recorded image is automatically erased.

The TC film from which the image has been erased in this way passes through the TC paper feeding / conveying path 77 by the rotation of the TC film feeding / conveying roller 74, and then its conveying direction is turned by the TC film turn roller 75. As a result, it is guided in the common path of the plain paper and the TC film, conveyed to a pair of registration rollers including the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40, and abutted against the nip portion of the registration roller. On this occasion,
The front end of the TC film is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing for writing an image on the TC film is set. On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is developed by the developing means 4. It is visualized by the toner supplied from. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 to the TC film sent by the pre-registration sensor 31 toward the photoconductor 10 by the rotating registration roller at a timing.

In this way, the TC film on which the toner image is formed on the film surface is
By the switching claw 12 arranged at the branch portion with respect to the transport path 55, it is transported toward the TC transport path 55. The TC film transported to the TC transport path 55 dedicated to the TC film by the switching claw 12 reaches the TC film transport unit 59. As described above, the irradiation means 15 is disposed at the facing portion of the TC film transport unit 59,
When recording an image on this TC film, the TC film on which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the TC film transport unit 5
9, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation unit 15 is turned on when the endless belt 67 is conveyed while being sucked. The irradiation light of the irradiation lamp 16 is condensed and irradiated by the reflection plate 17 and the condenser lens 18 onto the film surface of the TC film which is conveyed while being attracted to the endless belt 67. As a result, the TC film is conveyed with the image surface of the TC film accurately aligned with the focus of the radiant heat from the irradiation means 15.

At this time, the TC film itself is in a cloudy state, and an unfixed toner image is transferred on the surface thereof. Therefore, the irradiation lamp 16 and the reflector 17,
The irradiation light emitted and condensed by the condenser lens 18 is TC
It is absorbed in the unfixed toner image part which is the black part of the film surface and raises the temperature of this black part, but it is reflected in the other part of the film surface which becomes cloudy (non-image part), Does not give the effect of. This gives T
A temperature difference occurs between the toner image portion and the non-image portion of the film surface of the C film, and the toner image of this TC film is
When the temperature rises, the white turbid state changes to a transparent state to be visualized, and an image composed of a white turbid portion (non-image portion) and a transparent portion (toner image portion) is recorded on the TC film surface.

TC transport path 5 near the fixing means 34
As described above, the heat insulating material 56 is attached to the back surface of the guide plate 55a of No. 5 to prevent the heat of the fixing unit 34 from adversely affecting the TC film. Further, the irradiation unit cover 61 is disposed above the irradiation unit 15, and the irradiation unit 15 is disposed on the inclined portion of the TC transport path 55, and dust on the optical system of the irradiation unit 15 is also included. Are prevented from entering.

The TC film on which the image is recorded in this manner is conveyed toward the TC cleaning means 24 provided in the TC conveying path 55 by the conveying force of the TC film conveying rollers 58 that grip the both sides of the TC film. It As a result, the toner carried on the TC film is removed by the blade 25 of the cleaning means 24 provided so as to face the peripheral surface of the transport roller 38a located on the back surface (the surface on which the toner image is not transferred) of the TC film. Be scraped off.
Here, the contact force of the blade 25 with respect to the transport roller 38a is set so that the frictional force between the transport roller 38a and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the blade 25 and the TC film. As a result, the toner scraped from the film surface of the TC film is collected in the collection bottle 27 by the collection roller 26 provided in the cleaning unit 24. In this way, the TC film on which the image composed of the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner is further conveyed by the conveying rollers 38a, 38b, 38c. The paper is guided by the paper discharge guide plate 28 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 30 by the paper discharge rollers 29.

The other components of this image forming apparatus are constructed in the same manner as the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 19, the paper feed tray is selected depending on the state of the TC film to be used, that is, whether the TC film is unused or recorded. Therefore, the TC film can be formed on the TC film in any state without any trouble, and the convenience of the apparatus is improved. Further, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 19, since the heat of the fixing means of plain paper is used as the heat source for initialization for erasing the recorded TC film image, the TC film for initialization is used. It is not necessary to newly dispose the heat source of, and the control system can be simplified.

The copy control / mode according to the present invention of the image forming apparatus in the above-described one-pass system will be described below. First, a case of copying plain paper in the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described. In this control, as shown in FIG. 20, a PP mode for recording an image on plain paper and a TC mode for recording an image on TC film can be selected by a toggle operation.
The TC mode key 741 on the operation unit 903 of the present apparatus is operated (or is not operated in the default state), and P
After the P mode is selected, (recording) from the image forming apparatus
When the start command is received, the recording operation on the plain paper in the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is executed. In this embodiment, an example in which a mode selection key is provided on the operation unit 903 is shown, but as the mode selection means, selection such as switch selection (software switch) on the touch panel or the display unit is performed. It may be a means. Further, it goes without saying that the present embodiment can be applied not only to a printer but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, description will be given of a case where copying is performed on the TC film which has been initialized in advance in the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIGS. This control is shown in FIG.
As shown in 0, the TC mode key 741 on the operation unit 903 of this apparatus, which can select the PP mode for recording an image on plain paper and the TC mode for recording an image on TC film by a toggle operation, is operated. When the (recording) start command is received from the image forming apparatus after the TC mode is selected, the recording operation for the TC film in the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is executed. . Note that, in this embodiment, as in the above embodiment, an example in which a mode selection key is provided on the operation unit 903 has been shown. However, this mode selection means includes switch selection (software selection) on the touch panel or the display unit. Needless to say, the present embodiment can be applied not only to a printer but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, a case will be described in which the used TC film is initialized to perform copying in the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. In this control, as shown in FIG. 20, P is used to record an image on plain paper.
The operation unit 9 of the present apparatus, which can select the P mode and the TC mode for recording an image on the TC film by a toggle operation.
If the (recording) start command is received from the image forming apparatus after the TC mode key 741 on the No. 03 is operated and the TC mode is selected, the configuration shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. The recording operation for the TC film in the image forming apparatus is executed. Note that, in this embodiment, as in the above embodiment, an example in which a mode selection key is provided on the operation unit 903 has been shown. However, this mode selection means is a switch selection (software Needless to say, the present embodiment can be applied not only to a printer but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, the path switching control in the image forming apparatus of the above-mentioned two-pass system will be described. As shown in FIG. 20, this control is performed in the PP mode for recording an image on plain paper and the T mode for recording an image on TC film.
The C mode and the TC mode key 741 on the operation unit 903 of the apparatus, which can be selected by a toggle operation, are operated (or the default state is not operated), and the PP mode is selected. When a (record) start command is received, the above-mentioned FIG. 17 to FIG.
When the (recording) start command is received from the image forming apparatus after the recording operation on the plain paper in the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. The recording operation on the TC film in the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown is executed. In this embodiment, like the above embodiment,
Although the example in which the mode selection key is provided on the operation unit 903 is shown, the mode selection unit may be a selection unit such as a switch selection (software switch) on the touch panel or the display unit. Further, it goes without saying that the present embodiment can be applied not only to a printer but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, the fixing pressure release control when the TC mode is selected in the above-described one-pass system image forming apparatus will be described. This control is, as shown in FIG. 20, a TC mode on the operation unit 903 of this apparatus, which can select a PP mode for recording an image on plain paper and a TC mode for recording an image on TC film by a toggle operation. Key 741
When the (recording) start command is received from the image forming apparatus after the (1) is operated (or is not operated in the default state) and the PP mode is selected, the configuration shown in FIGS. When a (recording) start command is received from the image forming apparatus after the recording operation on plain paper in the image forming apparatus is executed and the TC mode is selected, the image having the configuration shown in FIGS. The recording operation for the TC film in the forming apparatus is executed. Note that, in this embodiment, as in the above embodiment, an example in which a mode selection key is provided on the operation unit 903 has been shown. However, this mode selection means includes switch selection (software selection) on the touch panel or the display unit. Needless to say, the present embodiment can be applied not only to a printer but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, the initialization control mode of the used TC film according to the present invention of the image forming apparatus in the above-mentioned one-pass system will be described. First, a case where the used TC film is initialized in the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 will be described. Assuming that an initialization key is provided on the operation unit 903 of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 21, this control is initialized with the TC film set in the manual feed tray (the upper right portion of FIG. 1). When the key is depressed, the used TC film is initialized by carrying out the same process as the above-described plain paper without carrying the image from the manual feed tray and writing the image. That is, when the initialization key is pushed down in a state where the recording paper detection sensor (manual recording paper sensor 340 in FIG. 22) of the manual feeding tray indicates “with recording paper”, the paper feed roller 1 pulls out from the manual feeding tray. The TC film is separated into only the uppermost one by the separation pad 35, and is conveyed by the conveying roller 37 and the registration driving roller 9. As a result, the TC film initializing operation in the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is executed. FIG. 22 is a control block diagram of this embodiment. In this embodiment, for convenience, it is assumed that the printer has an initialization key on the operation unit. However, this initialization selection means is a switch selection (software switch) on the touch panel or the display unit. Any selection means such as Further, it goes without saying that the present embodiment can be applied not only to a printer but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, another embodiment of the case where the used TC film is initialized in the image forming apparatus having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 will be described. In the control of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, an initialization key is provided on the operation unit 903 of the apparatus, and the paper feed tray A is a TC film dedicated tray (only TC film can be used). Assuming that if the initialization key is pressed down with the TC film set in the paper feed tray A, the same process as the plain paper described above is performed without carrying the paper from the paper feed tray A and writing the image. Thus, the used TC film is initialized. That is, the cassette set sensor of the paper feed tray A (the cassette size detector 35 in FIG.
When the initialization key is pressed down in a state in which "0" is used) indicates "with cassette", and the paper end sensor 33 is "with recording paper", the paper feed roller 1 moves the paper from the paper feed tray A. The drawn TC film is separated into only the uppermost one by the separation pad 35, and is conveyed by the conveying roller 37 and the registration driving roller 9. As a result, the TC film initializing operation in the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is executed. FIG. 24 is a control block diagram of this embodiment. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the operation section of the printer has an initialization key. However, this initialization selection means is similar to the above-described embodiments in that the touch panel and the display switch Any selection means such as selection (software switch) may be used. Further, in this embodiment, the TC film dedicated tray is the paper feed tray A,
Any tray may be used as long as it is a predetermined tray. Further, it is needless to say that this embodiment can be applied not only to the printer as in the above embodiment, but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, still another embodiment for initializing the used TC film in the image forming apparatus having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the operation unit 903 of the apparatus has an initialization key. Further, as shown in FIG. 24, a TC film detecting plate is attached to the cassette in which the TC film is set, and the TC film dedicated cassette is provided in either of the paper feed tray A or the paper feed tray B. Whether it is set or not is configured to be detected by the cassette size detector 350. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, this cassette size detector 350 uses five push switches 351 as sensors, and
The size detection plate 352 shown in FIG. 6 creates a state as shown in FIG. 27 by turning on / off the five push switches 351 (in FIG. 27, the white circles indicate the on state and the black circles indicate the off state). Size and T
It is configured to detect the presence or absence of a cassette dedicated to C film. Therefore, the paper feed tray A or the paper feed tray B,
Alternatively, if the initialization key is pressed while the TC films are set in both trays, the above-mentioned normal operation is performed without feeding and feeding images from the paper feed tray A or the paper feed tray B or both trays. The used TC film is initialized by performing the same process as that for paper. That is, as shown in FIG. 28, in a state where the sheet feed tray A or the sheet feed tray B, or the cassette set sensors of both trays (also serving as the cassette size detector 350 in FIG. 24) indicate “with cassette”. ,and,
When the cassette size detector 350 detects the TC film dedicated cassette, and the initialization key is pressed while the paper end sensor 33 is “with recording paper”, the TC film is fed by the paper feed roller 1 to the paper feed tray. After being pulled out from A, only the uppermost one sheet is separated by the separation pad 35 and is conveyed by the conveying roller 37 and the registration driving roller 9. Hereinafter, FIG. 1 and FIG.
The used TC film initialization operation in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the printer has an initialization key on the operation unit, but this initialization selection means is similar to the above-described embodiments in that the switch selection on the touch panel or the display unit ( Any selection means such as a software switch) may be used. Also,
In this embodiment, it is assumed that the cassette size detector 350 of the TC film dedicated cassette also serves as the cassette set sensor, but a dedicated sensor may be provided as the cassette set sensor. Further, it is needless to say that this embodiment can be applied not only to the printer as in the above embodiment, but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, when the used TC film is initialized by using the image forming apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 29, and when this TC film is stocked (discharged) in a dedicated paper feed tray, The control will be described. This control is assumed to have an initialization key on its operating portion 903,
Assuming that the paper feed tray A is a TC film dedicated tray (only TC film can be used) in advance, when the initialization key is pushed down while the used TC film is set in the manual feed tray C, the case shown in FIG. As shown in
The used TC film is conveyed from the manual feed tray D and the used TC film is initialized, and the initialized TC film is discharged to the paper feed tray A. That is, as shown in FIG. 30, the manual-feed recording paper sensor 340 is “with recording paper”, and the cassette set sensor of the paper feed tray A (also serves as the cassette size detector 350 in FIG. 24).
Is "with cassette", and the paper full sensor 36
When the initialization key is pressed down in the state where 0 is “not full of recording paper”, only the uppermost one sheet from the manual feed tray D has been used by the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad 35 in FIG. The TC film is conveyed, and the used TC film passes through the nip portion between the heating roller 20 of the fixing unit 34 and the conveyance roller 37a set to a temperature at which the used TC film becomes cloudy from a transparent state. This used TC film is initialized, and this used TC film is further transferred to the transport roller 3
It is conveyed (accumulated) into the paper feed tray A by 7b. This used TC film initialization / stocking operation is performed until the used TC film set on the bypass tray D is used up or the initialized TC film stocked in the paper feed tray A is full. Repeated. FIG. 31 is a control block diagram of this embodiment. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the operation section of the printer has an initialization key. However, this initialization selection means is similar to the above-described embodiments in that the touch panel and the display switch Any selection means such as selection (software switch) may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the TC film-dedicated tray is the paper feed tray A, but any tray may be used as long as it is a predetermined tray. Further, this embodiment is
Needless to say, like the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a printer, but can be applied to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, when the used TC film is initialized by using the image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 32, and when this TC film is stocked (discharged) in a dedicated paper feed cassette, The control will be described. This control has an initialization key on the operation unit 903, the paper feed tray C is a tray dedicated to used TC film, and the paper feed tray A is a tray that can stock only unused TC film.
Assuming that the cassette is a C film dedicated cassette, if the initialization key is pressed while the used TC film is set in the paper feed tray C, as shown in FIG.
The used TC film is conveyed from the paper feed tray C, the used TC film is initialized, and the initialized TC film is discharged to the paper feed tray A. That is, as shown in FIG. 33, when the initialization key is pressed down in a state where there is a cassette in the paper feed tray C and not paper end, and a state in which there is a cassette in the paper feed tray A and paper is not full (recording paper is full) 32 in FIG.
Only the uppermost used TC film is conveyed from the paper feed tray C by the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad 35, and the fixing means 34 is set to a temperature at which the used TC film becomes cloudy from a transparent state. The used TC film is initialized by passing the used TC film through the nip portion between the heating roller 20 and the conveying roller 37a, and the used TC film is fed by the conveying rollers 37b and 37c. It is transported (stored) into the tray A. The initialization and stock operation of this used TC film is performed by the used T film set in the paper feed tray C.
This process is repeated until the C film runs out or the initialized TC film stocked in the paper feed tray A is full. FIG. 34 is a control block diagram of this embodiment. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the operation section of the printer has an initialization key. However, this initialization selection means is similar to the above-described embodiments in that the touch panel and the display switch Any selection means such as selection (software switch) may be used. In this embodiment, the unused TC film dedicated tray is used as the paper feed tray A.
However, any tray may be used as long as it is a predetermined tray. Further, it is needless to say that this embodiment can be applied not only to the printer as in the above embodiment, but also to a copying machine or a facsimile having a similar recording unit.

Next, in the case where the used TC film is initialized by using the image forming apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 32 and then the TC film is stocked (discharged) in a dedicated paper feed cassette, Another control will be described. This control has an initialization key on the operation unit 903, and the paper feed tray C is a used TC film dedicated tray,
The TC film dedicated cassette that can stock only unused TC film is equipped with the TC film dedicated cassette detection plate, and the TC film dedicated cassette is set in either or both of the paper feed trays A and B. Assuming that the current state can be detected by the same method as the cassette size detection, if the initialization key is pressed down with the used TC film set in the paper feed tray C, this used TC film The initialization operation is performed, the paper feed tray in which the TC film dedicated cassette in which the initialized TC film is stocked is set is automatically determined, and the initialized TC film is discharged. That is, as shown in FIG. 35, when there is a cassette in the paper feed tray C and not the paper end,
32. When the initialization key is pushed down while the TC film dedicated cassettes are provided in the paper feed trays A or B or both trays and the paper is not full (recording paper is full), FIG.
In the above, in the sheet feeding roller 1 and the separation pad 35, only the uppermost used TC film is conveyed from the sheet feeding tray C, and the fixing is set to a temperature at which the used TC film becomes cloudy from a transparent state. By passing the used TC film through the nip portion between the heating roller 20 of the means 34 and the conveying roller 37a, the used TC film
The film is initialized, and the used TC film is further transported (stored) into the paper feed tray A or B by the transport rollers 37b and 37c. This used TC film initialization / stock operation is performed when the used TC film set in the paper feed tray C is used up, or
TC set in paper feed tray A, B or both trays
This is repeated until the initialized TC film in the film cassette is full. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the operation section of the printer has an initialization key. However, this initialization selection means is similar to the above-described embodiments in that the touch panel and the display switch Any selection means such as selection (software switch) may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the detection means of the TC film dedicated cassette is also used as the cassette size detector 350 and the cassette set sensor, but a sensor dedicated to the detection of the TC film dedicated cassette may be provided. Further, in this embodiment, two TC film dedicated trays are provided, but the number is not limited as long as there are a plurality of trays. Also,
This embodiment is not limited to the printer as in the above embodiment,
It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like having a similar recording unit.

Next, the control for executing the initialization of the used TC film at regular time intervals in the image forming apparatus having the used TC film dedicated cassette will be described. This control is performed by the image forming apparatus having the cassette for used TC film, that is, the above-described FIGS.
In the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG.
This is a control for automatically performing the initialization operation of the C film at regular time intervals. For example, assuming that the power-on is used as a timer start trigger to initialize the used TC film at regular time intervals (here, 6 hours), as shown in FIG. When the set time (6 hours) elapses after turning on, the initialization mode operation as described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 35 is performed. In the control shown in FIG. 36, the initialization mode operation is repeatedly performed at regular intervals until the power is turned off by resetting the timer when the initialization mode operation is completed.

Next, the control for executing the initialization of the used TC film at a constant time in the image forming apparatus having the used TC film dedicated cassette will be described. This control is performed by the image forming apparatus having the cassette for used TC film, that is, the above-described FIGS.
In the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG.
This is a control for automatically performing the initialization operation of the C film at every specified time. For example, AM9: 00 and PM9: 00
Assuming that the used TC film is to be initialized, the current time information is input from the real time clock 906 to the main control unit 901 as shown in FIGS. Compare with time. Then, as a result of comparing the current time with the specified time, when the current time = specified time, FIG.
The initialization mode operation as described in 5 is performed.

By the way, in the above-described control shown in FIGS. 36 to 38, the set time interval and the specified time are limited to the fixed time and the fixed time, and the set time interval and the fixed time are used at the fixed time and the fixed time. It is controlled so that the initialization operation of the completed TC film is always executed. However, the set time interval and the specified time, or whether the mode can be used or not can be arbitrarily set according to the convenience of the user. Good.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 35,
In the image forming apparatus having the used TC film dedicated cassette, as shown in FIG. 39, the initialization operation of the used TC film may be automatically performed when the power is turned on.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 29 to 35,
In the image forming apparatus having the used TC film dedicated cassette, the used TC film or the used TC film dedicated cassette is set as a trigger in the dedicated tray in which the TC film to be initialized is set. The film initializing operation may be controlled to be automatically performed.

Further, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a negative-positive recording system, at the time of initializing the TC film, the initialization means is set to a temperature at which the TC film changes from cloudiness to transparent. Then, the operation shown in FIGS. 21 to 39 is performed. That is, the transport path in this case is the same, and the initialization operation is substantially the same as that of FIGS. 1 and 4, but in the case of the negative-positive recording method, the temperature setting of the heating roller 20 is set to the positive-positive recording method. Change from the case of, TC
All of the used TC film can be made transparent and initialized by setting the temperature at which the film turns from cloudy to transparent.

[0153]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the plain paper recording process is executed when the recording mode for the plain paper sheet is selected by the recording mode selecting means. Recording on a paper sheet can be easily performed.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the TC film recording step is executed when the recording mode for the TC film is selected by the recording mode selection means, the recording on the TC film is easy. Can be done

Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the configuration described in claim 2, since the initialization is performed by the heat generating means, the recording on the used TC film can be easily performed. it can.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 4, when the recording mode for the TC film is selected by the recording mode selection means, the used TC film in the manual feed tray is initialized and the used TC film is stored in the discharge tray. Since the paper is discharged, recording on the used TC film can be easily performed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, TC
Since the used TC film in the film-dedicated paper feed tray is initialized and discharged to the paper discharge tray, it is possible to easily record a large amount of used TC film.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, TC
It detects the film-dedicated cassette, initializes it, and ejects it to the paper ejection tray, which prevents initialization due to a mistake in setting in the tray, and it is also possible to initialize used TC film from multiple trays. At the same time, the TC film dedicated tray becomes unnecessary.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 4, the time and effort for setting the TC film in the TC film dedicated paper feed tray can be saved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, in addition to the effect of claim 5, the time and effort for setting the TC film in the TC film dedicated paper feed tray can be saved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, TC
Detects the film cassette and initializes the TC
Since the paper is ejected to the paper feed tray in which the film cassette is set, mis-ejection when the plain paper cassette is set incorrectly in the TC film paper tray (plain paper and TC film are mixed) Is prevented, and the TC film can be discharged to multiple trays.
The tray dedicated to C film is also unnecessary.

Further, according to the invention of claim 10, in addition to the effects of claims 8 and 9, since the initialization is automatically performed at regular time intervals or at regular time intervals, the operator can perform initialization at the time of initialization. No longer need to be present.

Further, according to the invention of claim 11, in addition to the effects of claims 8 and 9, it is possible to set the time interval or time for initialization, so that it is suitable for the environment of use of the user. Flexible correspondence is possible.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the eighth and ninth aspects, since the initialization operation is executed when the power is turned on, the TC film must be initialized when it is used. You can

Further, according to the invention of claim 13, in addition to the effects of claims 8 and 9, the initialization operation is automatically executed when the cassette is set in the used TC film dedicated tray. Therefore, it is not necessary to select the initialization selection means.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to thirteenth aspects, the initialization corresponding to the recording method becomes possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a first image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a second image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a third image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a fourth image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a fifth image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 6 is an overall control block diagram of an image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 8 is an overall control timing chart at the time of recording a TC film in the image forming apparatus in which the present invention is carried out.

FIG. 9 is a general control timing chart at the time of recording on plain paper of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration of the image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing still another configuration of the image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing still another configuration of the image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing still another configuration of the image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing still another configuration of the image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing still another configuration of the image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing a specific configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 16 in which the present invention is carried out.

FIG. 18 is a schematic sectional view showing a specific configuration of another image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 16 in which the present invention is carried out.

FIG. 19 is a schematic sectional view showing a specific configuration of still another image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 16 in which the present invention is carried out.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a copy control operation in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a TC film initialization control operation in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

22 is a block diagram of a control unit of the operation shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of another TC film initialization control operation in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of control means for the operation shown in FIG. 23 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view of a tray size detection unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view of a tray in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a table showing the relationship between the sensor state of the tray size detector and the tray size in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is yet another TC in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
It is a flow chart of film initialization control operation.

FIG. 29 is a schematic sectional view of still another image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

30 is a flowchart of a stock control operation of the initialized TC film to the paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 29 of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of control means for the operation shown in FIG. 30 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a schematic sectional view of still another image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

33 is a flowchart of a stock control operation of the initialized TC film to the paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 32 of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram of control means for the operation shown in FIG. 32 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is another initialization T in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart of a stock control operation of a C film to a paper feed tray.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart of a control operation in which the TC film is initialized at regular time intervals in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in which T
It is a flow chart of control operation which initializes C film.

38 is a block diagram of a control unit of the operation shown in FIG. 37 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of a control operation for initializing the TC film when the power is turned on in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Paper Feeding Roller 2 Paper Feeding Guide Plate 3 Heating Head 4 Developing Means 5 Optical Unit 6 Charging Means 7 Photosensitive Body Cleaning Means 8 Transfer Separation Means 9 Registration Driving Rollers 10 Photosensitive Body 11 Pre-Transfer Guide Plates 12 Conveyance Switching Means 13 Conveyance Guides Plate 14 Fixing entrance guide plate 15 Irradiating means 16 Irradiating lamp 17 Reflecting plate 18 Condensing lens 19 Pressure roller 20 Heating roller 21 Heater 22 Fixing outlet upper guide plate 23 Fixing outlet lower guide plate 24 TC cleaning means 25 Blade 26 Collecting roller 27 Collection bottle 28 Paper ejection guide plate 29 Paper ejection roller 30 Paper ejection tray 31 Pre-registration sensor 32 Paper ejection sensor 33 Paper end sensor 34 Fixing means 35 Separation pad 36, 36A, 36B Fan 37, 38, 111 Conveying roller 39 Under fixing entrance Moth Plate 40 Register driven roller 340 Manual feed recording paper sensor 350 Cassette size detector 360 Paper full sensor A, B, C Paper feed tray D Manual feed tray 901 Main control unit 902 Storage unit 903 Operation unit 904 Image information input unit 905 Internal timer 906 Real time clock

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location B41M 5/26 B65H 7/02 9037-3F G03G 15/00 113 7369-2H 115 302 302 15/20 101 109 21/00 H04N 1/23 103 Z 9186-5C 6956-2H B41M 5/18 101 A (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Iwata 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Yasuhiro Sagawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Hideki Toinaga 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A latent image writing unit for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member, a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member with toner, and an image recording unit. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred is irradiated. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for heating the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by the toner removing means on the film surface. In the image forming apparatus configured to be removed from above, a recording mode selection unit is provided for selecting a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. When the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, a plain paper sheet is fed and conveyed to write on the photoconductor. Seen, toner development, toner transfer onto plain paper sheet, the image forming apparatus characterized by performing a series of operations until the toner fixing. 2. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and an image recording means. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred is irradiated. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for heating the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by the toner removing means on the film surface. In the image forming apparatus configured to be removed from above, a recording mode selection unit is provided for selecting a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. When the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed, and Writing to, toner development, toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording films, irradiation, an image forming apparatus characterized by performing a series of operations until the toner removal. 3. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and an image recording means. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The reversible thermosensitive recording film is initialized by a heat generating means, and the toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by an irradiation means that irradiates the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image has been transferred and heats the transferred toner image while the image is formed. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove toner carried on a thermal recording film from the film surface by a toner removing means, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film The recording mode selecting means for selecting the TC mode to be selected is selected by the recording mode selecting means. If the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed, writing on the photoreceptor, toner development, initialization of the reversible thermosensitive recording film, toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording film, irradiation, toner. An image forming apparatus characterized by performing a series of operations up to removal. 4. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and an image recording means. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred is irradiated. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for heating the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by the toner removing means on the film surface. In an image forming apparatus configured to be removed from above, initialization selecting means for selecting deletion of a recorded image of a used reversible thermosensitive recording film, a manual feeding tray for manually feeding a recording sheet, and recording on the manual feeding tray. The recording paper detection means has a recording paper detection means for detecting paper and a fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means. When it is detected that there is a recording paper on the manual feed tray and the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, the exposure by the writing means is performed. Heating the fixing means without writing on the body, developing by the developing means, and transferring by the transfer means,
The fixing temperature detecting means detects that the fixing means has been heated to a prescribed set temperature, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed from the manual feed tray to the fixing means. 2. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a used image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased by heat of the fixing means and is discharged to a discharge tray. 5. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and an image recording means. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred is irradiated. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for heating the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by the toner removing means on the film surface. In an image forming apparatus configured to be removed from above, initialization selecting means for selecting deletion of a recorded image of a used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and a reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated supply containing only the reversible thermosensitive recording film The paper tray, recording paper detection means for detecting the recording paper in the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray, and the fixing means. A fixing temperature detecting means for detecting the heat temperature, and when the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, the photoreceptor by the writing means To the fixing means without writing to the developing means, developing by the developing means, and transferring by the transferring means, and detecting that the fixing means is heated to a predetermined set temperature by the fixing temperature detecting means, The used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed from the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray to the fixing means, and the used image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is heated by the fixing means. An image forming apparatus that erases and discharges a sheet to a sheet discharge tray. 6. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and an image recording means. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred is irradiated. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for heating the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by the toner removing means on the film surface. In an image forming apparatus configured to be removed from above, an initialization selecting unit for selecting erasing of a recorded image of a used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and a reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette containing the reversible thermosensitive recording film. A cassette detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of setting in the paper feed tray, and a record detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of recording paper in the paper feed tray. The recording paper has a paper detection means and a fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means, and the cassette detection means detects that the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette is set in the paper feed tray, and the recording paper The detection unit detects that there is a recording sheet in the paper feed tray in which the cassette for the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set, and the initialization selection unit erases the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film. When the mode is selected, the fixing means is heated without performing writing on the photoconductor by the writing means, development by the developing means, and transfer by the transfer means, and the fixing means is heated to a prescribed set temperature. The heating temperature is detected by the fixing temperature detecting means, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is used as a cassette for the reversible thermosensitive recording film. The reversible heat-sensitive recording film used is erased by the heat of the fixing unit and discharged from the sheet feeding tray in which the sheet is set and fed to the fixing unit. Image forming apparatus. 7. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and an image recording means. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred is irradiated. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for heating the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by the toner removing means on the film surface. In the image forming apparatus configured to be removed from above, a recording mode selection unit is provided for selecting a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. When the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, a plain paper sheet is fed and conveyed to write on the photoconductor. , Toner development, toner transfer to a plain paper sheet, and toner fixing, as well as initialization selection means for selecting the erasure of the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and manually inserting the recording paper. A manual feed tray for recording, a recording paper detection means for detecting the recording paper on the manual feed tray, a reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray that accommodates only the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film It has a recording paper full detection means for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the dedicated paper feed tray is full, and a fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means. It is detected that there is recording paper on the bypass tray, and the recording paper full detection means detects that the recording paper in the tray dedicated to the reversible thermosensitive recording film is not full. When the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is selected by the initialization selecting means, writing to the photoconductor by the writing means, development by the developing means, and transfer The fixing means is heated without performing transfer by the means, and the fixing temperature detecting means detects that the fixing means is heated to a prescribed set temperature,
The used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed from the manual feed tray to the fixing means, and the used image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased by the heat of the fixing means to remove the reversible thermosensitive recording film. An image forming apparatus that discharges paper into a dedicated feed tray for recording film. 8. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and an image recording means. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means is transferred onto the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image is transferred is irradiated. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for heating the transferred toner image, and after the image formation, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by the toner removing means on the film surface. In the image forming apparatus configured to be removed from above, a recording mode selection unit is provided for selecting a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. When the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed, and Write selection, toner development, toner transfer to reversible thermosensitive recording film, irradiation, and toner removal, as well as initialization selection means for selecting erasing of recorded image of used reversible thermosensitive recording film And a paper feed tray for used reversible thermosensitive recording film in which the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is housed,
Recording paper detection means for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper in the used feeding tray for the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the feeding tray for the reversible thermosensitive recording film is full. It has a recording paper full detection means and a fixing temperature detection means for detecting the heat generation temperature of the fixing means, and the recording paper is in the paper feed tray dedicated to the used reversible thermosensitive recording film by the recording paper detection means. Is detected,
The recording paper full detection means detects that the recording paper in the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated tray is not full, and the initialization selection means erases the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film. When selected, the fixing means is heated without writing on the photoconductor by the writing means, developing by the developing means, and transferring by the transfer means, and the fixing means is heated to a prescribed set temperature. This is detected by the fixing temperature detecting means, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed from the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray to the fixing means, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is conveyed. Erasing the used image on the thermosensitive recording film by the heat of the fixing means and discharging the image into the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated tray. An image forming apparatus comprising. 9. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and an image recording means. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying the plain paper sheet to the image forming section, and transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor onto the plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming section, A reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature and which has a fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet; Feed and convey to the forming unit,
The reversible thermosensitive recording film is initialized by a heat generating means, and the toner image formed on the photoconductor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by an irradiation means that irradiates the reversible thermosensitive recording film on which the toner image has been transferred and heats the transferred toner image while the image is formed. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove toner carried on a thermal recording film from the film surface by a toner removing means, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film The recording mode selecting means for selecting the TC mode to be selected is selected by the recording mode selecting means. If the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed, the reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed, and a series of operations including writing on the photoconductor, toner development, toner transfer to the reversible thermosensitive recording film, irradiation and toner removal are performed. , An initialization selection means for selecting the erasing of the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, a used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated feeding tray for accommodating the used reversible thermosensitive recording film, and the used A recording paper detection unit that detects the presence or absence of recording paper in the paper tray for the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and whether the cassette for the reversible thermosensitive recording film containing the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set in the paper tray. Cassette detection means for detecting, recording paper full detection means for detecting whether or not the recording paper in the paper feed tray is full, and heat generation temperature of the fixing means. The recording paper detecting means detects that there is a recording paper in the used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feed tray, and the cassette detecting means specializes in the reversible thermosensitive recording film. The cassette set is detected,
The recording paper full detection means detects that the recording paper in the paper feed tray in which the cassette for the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set is not full, and the initialization selection means records the used reversible thermosensitive recording film. When the mode for erasing the completed image is selected, the fixing means is heated without writing on the photoconductor by the writing means, developing by the developing means, and transferring by the transfer means. The fixing temperature detecting means detects that the reversible thermosensitive recording film has been heated to a specified set temperature, and the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed from the dedicated reversible thermosensitive recording film feeding tray to the fixing means. Then, the used image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is erased by the heat of the fixing means to be used exclusively for the reversible thermosensitive recording film. Image forming apparatus characterized by discharging the paper tray. 10. In addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to claims 8 and 9, a prescribed time measuring means for measuring a prescribed time or a prescribed time measuring means for measuring a prescribed time is provided. A mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film by the initialization selecting means when the lapse of the prescribed time or the arrival of the prescribed time is confirmed by the prescribed time measuring means or the prescribed time measuring means. Even if is not selected, claim 8 and claim 9
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein an erasing operation of the recorded image on the used reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus described in claim 13 is performed. 11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a prescribed time setting means or a prescribed time setting means for varying a prescribed time of said prescribed time measuring means or a prescribed time of said prescribed time measuring means, and said prescribed time setting means. 11. The time or the specified time is variable.
The image forming apparatus described. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the initialization selecting means erases a recorded image on a used reversible thermosensitive recording film when the image forming apparatus is powered on. 10. The erasing operation of the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 is performed even if is not selected. Image forming apparatus. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated cassette is set in a used reversible thermosensitive recording film dedicated paper feeding tray. The recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, even if the mode for erasing the recorded image of the used reversible thermosensitive recording film is not selected by the means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein an erasing operation is performed. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the reversible thermosensitive recording film is recorded by changing the cloudiness from transparent to transparent, the set temperature of the fixing unit is set to the reversible value. When the temperature of the heat-sensitive recording film is changed from transparent to cloudy and the reversible heat-sensitive recording film is recorded from transparent to cloudy, the set temperature of the fixing unit is set to the reversible heat-sensitive recording. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the film is set to a temperature at which the film turns from cloudy to transparent.