JPH06156773A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically interpose a blank paper sheet between OHP sheets when an image is formed on the OHP sheet, without changing the set condition in the mode selection, etc. CONSTITUTION:When a recording paper sheet transported from a paper feeding tray 1 is an OHP sheet 2, the transport of the OHP sheet 2 is suspeneded temporarily midway in a transport passage, and a common paper sheet 7 is transported from a paper feeding tray 6, and after the common paper sheet 7 is discharged without forming an image, an aimed image is formed on the OHP sheet 2 which is in temporary stop, while in the case where the recording paper sheet transported from the paper feeding tray 1 is a common paper sheet or a regenerated paper sheet, the aimed image is formed on the supplied recording paper sheet.

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 record an image on an OHP sheet by an electrophotographic process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Overhead projector (OHP)
As a method of recording an image on an OHP sheet used for a copying machine, a facsimile,
Alternatively, a method using an image forming apparatus such as a printer is known. In addition, in this type of image forming apparatus,
When continuously recording images on a plurality of OHP sheets, usually, a mount (interleaving sheet) is fed (inserted) between the OHP sheets that have been recorded, and the recorded images ( It is intended to prevent "show-through" of the toner image) on another OHP sheet. As a conventional image forming apparatus and related technology capable of feeding the mount between the OHP sheets,
OHP sheets and copy papers are alternately fed from the first paper feed unit and the second paper feed unit to perform copy processing, thereby saving the trouble of rearranging after copying and improving work efficiency. A device as shown (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 22677/1990) allows copying of an original to be selected between front surface discharge and rear surface discharge, and when copying to an OHP sheet, the OH is independent of the front surface discharge and the rear surface discharge.
In the case where the OHP sheet is used as the feeding sheet, the apparatus has a device for feeding the backing sheet to the back side of the P sheet (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-33303), and has means for detecting the type of feeding sheet.
As in the case of plain paper, a device capable of executing continuous image forming processing in the automatic continuous single sheet feeding mode (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-293238), and an OHP film and plain paper are overlaid and integrated. There is known an OHP sheet for copying (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-6058), etc.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, recording paper in which OHP sheets and plain papers are alternately stacked is fed to form an image on the OHP sheet, and plain papers are left blank. Between the OHP sheets by a method of discharging the sheet as it is or a method of discharging the non-image paper (blank sheet) on which an image is not formed before and after feeding the OHP sheet by selecting the OHP mode. It is structured so as to sandwich a blank sheet. Therefore, in any conventional image forming apparatus, in any case, it is necessary to notify the image forming apparatus in advance that an image is to be formed on the OHP sheet and change the setting condition by switching the mode, etc. When the OHP sheet is fed in the state of
It was not possible to automatically insert a blank sheet between HP sheets. The invention according to claim 1 is made in view of the above-mentioned point, and an object thereof is to form an image on an OHP sheet without changing the setting condition by mode switching or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically inserting a blank sheet between sheets.

On the other hand, when an image is formed on an OHP sheet, an image forming apparatus that automatically inserts a blank sheet between the discharged OHP sheets has been fed so far. An apparatus has been proposed in which the size of an OHP sheet is detected and a blank sheet (recording sheet) of the same size as the OHP sheet held inside the image forming apparatus is fed without forming an image. However, in this image forming apparatus, when the recording paper of a size corresponding to the size of the supplied OHP sheet is not held inside the apparatus, the OH
This causes a problem that a blank sheet of a size different from the size of the P sheet is caught, or the blank sheet is not caught between the OHP sheets. Further, in this image forming apparatus,
The size of the blank paper sandwiched between the P sheets is the same as the size of the supplied OHP sheet, so the discharged O
There is a problem that the HP sheet and the blank sheet become a cumulative lump of paper, and it becomes difficult to peel the OHP sheet from the blank sheet. The invention according to claim 2 is made in view of the above-mentioned point, and an object thereof is to hold an OHP sheet regardless of whether to hold a recording paper of a size commensurate with the size of the supplied OHP sheet. It is possible to supply a blank sheet of a size corresponding to the size of the OHP sheet between the sheets, and to the sheet to be supplied between the OHP sheets,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can use unsatisfactory inexpensive paper as a recording paper and easily peels an OHP sheet from a blank paper.

Here, as described above, the supplied OHP
In order to supply the blank paper of the size corresponding to the size of the OHP sheet between the OHP sheets, regardless of the holding of the recording paper of the size corresponding to the size of the sheet, the blank paper supplied between the OHP sheets is used. The roll paper may be held inside the apparatus, and the roll paper may be cut into a size corresponding to the size of the supplied OHP sheet. However, in the image forming apparatus configured to cut and supply the roll paper to a size corresponding to the size of the supplied OHP sheet,
Since the length (width) of the cut / fed blank paper in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction is determined by the width of the roll paper, OH
The width of the P sheet may be different from the width of the blank sheet. The invention according to claim 3 is made in view of the above-mentioned point, and the purpose thereof is to supply OH.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of supplying a blank sheet having the same width as the P sheet.

As described above, in the case of the image forming apparatus in which the size of the blank paper sandwiched between the OHP sheets is the same as the size of the supplied OHP sheet, the discharged OH is discharged.
There is a problem that the P sheet and the blank sheet become a cumulative lump of paper and the OHP sheet is difficult to be peeled from the blank sheet. In order to solve this problem, in the invention according to claim 2, the blank paper supplied between the OHP sheets is a roll paper held inside the apparatus, and the roll paper is slightly smaller than the size of the supplied OHP sheet. Although the image forming apparatus is configured to cut a long length, the image forming apparatus having this structure requires new means such as a detecting means for detecting the size of the supplied OHP sheet and a cutting means for the roll paper. The invention according to claim 4 is
It was made in view of the above points, and its purpose is
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which an OHP sheet can be easily peeled from a blank sheet by shifting a blank sheet of the same size as the OHP sheet to the discharged position of the fed OHP sheet and discharging the blank sheet.

By the way, in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus,
When the OHP sheets are continuously copied, when checking the contents of the images copied on the OHP sheets, the stacked O
It is necessary to pull out the target OHP sheet from the HP sheet. However, it is very difficult to find the target OHP sheet in a short time from the many OHP sheets stacked. The invention according to claim 5 is made in view of the above-mentioned point, and an object thereof is to form a protruding portion of a blank sheet that does not overlap the OHP sheet, which is formed to facilitate separation of the OHP sheet from the blank sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of confirming the image content of an OHP sheet without directly looking at the OHP sheet by forming indexes such as letters and numbers that represent the characteristics of the image formed on the OHP sheet. .

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming an intended image on a fed recording paper, an OHP sheet storage section for storing an OHP sheet, and this OHP sheet storage OH stored in the department
OHP sheet feeding means for feeding P sheets one by one,
A paper storage unit for storing paper, a paper feeding unit for feeding the papers stored in the paper storage unit one by one, and a non-image for discharging the paper without forming an image on the fed recording paper. A sheet discharging means, a recording sheet identifying means for detecting whether the recording sheet is an OHP sheet, a plain sheet or a recycled sheet when the recording sheet is fed from the OHP sheet storing section;
The recording sheet feeding control means for temporarily stopping the feeding of the recording sheet from the P sheet storing section in the middle of the feeding path and feeding the sheet from the sheet storing section at the same time, and feeding the recording sheet from the OHP sheet storing section. If the sent recording paper is an OHP sheet,
The feeding of the OHP sheet from the OHP sheet storage section is temporarily stopped in the middle of the feeding path, and at the same time, the sheet is fed from the sheet storage section and is ejected without forming an image on the sheet, When the target image is formed on the stopped OHP sheet and the recording paper fed from the OHP sheet storage section is plain paper or recycled paper, the target image is fed to the recording paper fed. Are formed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 2 stores an OHP sheet in an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming a target image on a fed recording paper. OHP sheet storage section, OHP sheet feeding means for feeding the OHP sheets stored in the OHP sheet storage section one by one, a roll paper storage section for storing roll paper, and a roll from the roll paper storage section Roll paper feeding means for feeding paper, OHP sheet length detection means for detecting the length of the OHP sheet to be fed in the conveying direction, and the OHP sheet before forming an image on the OHP sheet.
A roll paper length cutting means for cutting the roll paper into a size slightly longer than the length in the sheet conveying direction, and an image-free paper discharge means for discharging the fed / cut roll paper without forming an image The configuration is

According to a third aspect of the invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an OHP sheet is stored in an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming a desired image on a fed recording paper. OHP sheet storage section, OHP sheet feeding means for feeding the OHP sheets stored in the OHP sheet storage section one by one, and roll paper having a width equal to or larger than the maximum size of OHP sheets that can be fed. Roll paper storage unit, roll paper feeding means for feeding the roll paper from the roll paper storage unit, and OHP for feeding
OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet in the conveying direction, and the above O before the image is formed on the OHP sheet.
Roll paper cutting and cutting means for cutting the roll paper into a size slightly longer than the length of the HP sheet in the transport direction, and OHP for detecting the width of the fed OHP sheet in the transport direction.
A sheet width detecting means, a roll paper width cutting means for cutting the roll paper to the same width as the width of the OHP sheet in the conveying direction before forming an image on the OHP sheet, and an image of the fed / cut roll paper. A non-image sheet discharging unit that discharges the sheet without forming the sheet.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the size of the non-image paper discharged before the image is formed on the OHP sheet is the same as the size of the fed OHP sheet. The size is set, and the non-image paper is discharged to a position displaced from the discharge position of the OHP sheet.

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 5 is such that an OHP sheet is provided on a projecting portion of the non-image sheet which is discharged before an image is formed on the OHP sheet and which does not overlap the OHP sheet. An index such as letters and numbers that represents the characteristics of the image formed in 1 above is formed.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the recording paper fed from the OHP sheet storage section is an OHP sheet, the OHP sheet is fed from the OHP sheet storage section through the feeding path. The paper is fed from the paper storage section at the same time as being temporarily stopped in the middle of the process, and the paper is ejected without forming an image on the paper and then the paper is temporarily stopped.
When the target image is formed on the P sheet and the recording paper fed from the OHP sheet storage section is plain paper or recycled paper, the target image is formed on the fed recording paper. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the roll paper fed by the roll paper feeding means from the roll paper storage section for storing the roll paper has a length in the carrying direction of the OHP sheet fed. Based on the output of the OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting, before the image is formed on the OHP sheet, the O
The roll paper is cut into a size slightly longer than the length of the HP sheet in the transport direction by the roll paper length cutting means, and the fed / cut roll paper is discharged between OHP sheets without forming an image.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the roll paper fed by the roll paper feeding means from the roll paper storage unit for storing the roll paper having a width equal to or larger than the maximum size of the OHP sheet that can be fed is Based on the output of the OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting the length of the fed OHP sheet in the conveying direction, before the image is formed on the OHP sheet, the length of the OHP sheet is slightly shorter than the length of the OHP sheet in the conveying direction. The roll paper is cut into a long size by the roll paper cutting / cutting means, and an image is displayed on the OHP sheet based on the output of the OHP sheet width detection means for detecting the width of the fed OHP sheet in the conveying direction. Before being formed, the roll paper is cut by the roll paper width cutting means to the same width as the width of the OHP sheet in the transport direction, and the fed / cut roll paper is used for image formation. It is discharged during the OHP sheet without.

According to the invention of claim 4, the above-mentioned OHP
The non-image paper having the same size as the size of the OHP sheet discharged before the image is formed on the sheet is discharged to a position deviated from the discharge position of the OHP sheet.

According to the invention of claim 5, the above-mentioned OHP
Indexes such as letters and numbers that represent the characteristics of the image formed on the OHP sheet are formed on the protruding portions of the non-image sheet that are discharged before the image is formed on the sheet and do not overlap the OHP sheet.

[0018]

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.

First, the structure and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 and 2, the paper feed tray 1
Is configured so that the OHP sheet 2 or the recording paper in which the OHP sheet 2 and the white paper are alternately stacked can be fed. The OHP sheets 2 stacked on the paper feed tray 1 are fed by the pickup roller 3. The OHP sheet 2 fed from the paper feed tray 1 is detected by the OHP sheet detection device 4 arranged in the paper feed path, and then temporarily stopped with its leading end reaching the registration roller 5. The OHP sheet detection device 4 is composed of, for example, a sensor that detects whether or not the recording paper fed is the OHP sheet 2 based on the light transmittance of the recording paper.

On the other hand, as described above, while the OHP sheet 2 is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 5, the plain paper 7 stacked on the other paper feed tray 6 is fed by the other pickup roller 8. It The plain paper 7 fed from the paper feed tray 6 is fed by the feeding roller 9, the feeding guide 10,
Also, the other conveyance rollers 11 convey the sheet of paper 2 toward the conveyance rollers 13 located on the downstream side of the conveyance guide 12. The transport path after the transport roller 13 is OHP.
It is a common conveyance path for the sheet 2 and the plain paper 7.

The OHP sheet 2 conveyed by the conveying roller 13 is conveyed by the conveying guide 14 toward the peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 15. As a result, the image forming means such as the charging charger 16 and the developing unit 17 causes the photoconductor 1 to move.
The toner image of the document formed on the sheet 5 is transferred onto the OHP sheet 2 by the transfer charger 18. The OHP sheet 2 to which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoconductor 15 by the separation charger 19, is conveyed along the separation guide 20, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing roller 21. The OHP sheet 2 on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed along the paper discharge guide 22 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24 by the paper discharge rollers 23. Meanwhile, the photoconductor 15 is prepared for the next image formation by removing the residual toner by the cleaning unit 25.

On the other hand, the plain paper 7 carried by the carrying roller 13 is carried along the paper discharge guide 22 without transferring and fixing the toner image prior to carrying the OHP sheet 2, and the paper discharge roller 23. Thus, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24. As a result, the plain paper 7 is placed on the discharge tray 24.
Recording sheets are alternately stacked in the order of OHP sheet 2, plain paper, and then discharged.

In this embodiment, the OHP is attached to the paper feed tray 1.
When only the sheet 2 is set, the operation is as follows. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the original is set and the copy start button is pressed. As a result, the feeding of the OHP sheet 2 set in the sheet feeding tray 1 is started, and the conveyance thereof is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 5. During this period, the OHP sheet detection device 4 detects whether or not the fed recording paper is the OHP sheet 2. Here, when the sensor detects the transmitted light from the recording paper even if a predetermined time has elapsed since the recording paper was fed, the OHP sheet detecting device 4 determines that the recording paper fed is the OHP sheet 2. If the sensor does not detect the transmitted light from the recording paper after the recording paper is fed for a predetermined time, it is determined that the fed recording paper is blank. When it is confirmed by the judgment of the OHP sheet detecting device 4 that the fed recording paper is the OHP sheet 2, the pickup roller 8 supplies the plain paper 7 of the size corresponding to the size of the OHP sheet 2. The paper is fed from the paper tray 6, passes through the conveying rollers 9, 11, and 13, and then the photoconductor 15
The toner image is discharged as it is and is discharged onto the example 24 without transferring and fixing the toner image. Next, the image of the set original is read, the read image is optically written on the photoconductor 15, and the conveyance of the OHP sheet 2 which has been stopped by the registration rollers 5 is restarted, so that the OHP sheet 2 is read. The desired image is formed on the. In this way, when the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 is the OHP sheet 2, the above-described operation is repeated to record the plain paper 7, the OHP sheet 2, the plain paper ... In this order. The sheets are alternately discharged, and a plain white sheet is inserted on the back side of the OHP sheet 2.

Next, in this embodiment, the paper feed tray 1
When the recording paper in which the OHP sheet 2 and the blank paper are alternately stacked is set, the operation is performed as follows. When the first recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 is the OHP sheet 2, the copy paper held inside the image forming apparatus is discharged to the paper discharge tray 24 as in the above-described operation. After that, an image is formed on the OHP sheet 2. Next, set a new original, press the copy start button,
A blank sheet sandwiched between OHP sheets 2 is fed from the paper feed tray 1. Then, the fed white paper is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 5, and it is determined whether or not the recording paper fed by the OHP sheet detection device 4 is the OHP sheet 2. If it is not the OHP sheet 2, the registration is performed. The roller 5 restarts the conveyance of the blank sheet that has been temporarily stopped. When the blank sheet is conveyed, the image of the original is not read and the image formation on the blank sheet is not performed. Then, a target image is formed on the OHP sheet 2 to be fed next, and the sheet is ejected.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the type of recording paper fed is judged and the mechanism for discharging the blank paper between the OHP sheets and the control means are provided. It is possible to form an image on the OHP sheet and supply a blank sheet between the OHP sheets without notifying the image forming apparatus of the image formation on the OHP sheet in advance. Further, according to the present embodiment, when the recording paper in which the OHP sheet and the white paper are alternately stacked on the paper feeding tray is set, the white paper can be discharged as it is after the image is formed on the OHP sheet. When only the OHP sheet is set on the upper side, the plain paper held in the image forming apparatus can be discharged as a blank sheet between the OHP sheets, so that the setting condition of the image forming apparatus is changed by mode switching or the like. The above-mentioned operation can be automatically performed without the need.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 will be described.
The operation will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the OHP sheet detection device 4 confirms that the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 is the OHP sheet 2, an image is printed on the OHP sheet 2. The plain paper 7 fed from the paper feed tray 6 before being formed is fed by the pickup roller 26 for feeding the trailing edge so that the plain paper 7 advances to the trailing edge side opposite to the feeding direction by the pickup roller 8. To be done. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the plain paper 7 is fed by the pickup roller 26, and
Is a registration roller 5, a photoconductor 15, and a fixing roller 2.
The sheet is directly ejected as a blank sheet onto the sheet ejection tray 24 by the sheet ejection roller 23 through the respective conveyance rollers 27, 28 and the conveyance guide 29 without passing through the image forming means such as 1. As a result, in the present embodiment, when the original is set and the copy start button is pressed, the recording paper is fed from the paper feed tray 1, and the original is detected when the recording paper is the OHP sheet 2. Is read and an image is formed on the OHP sheet 2, and at the same time, the plain paper 7 on the paper feed tray 6 is read.
Are fed by the pickup roller 26, and the plain paper 7 is ejected onto the ejection tray 24 before the OHP sheet 2 passes through the fixing roller 21.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the plain paper discharge path for discharging plain paper as a blank sheet is formed independently of the image forming path for plain paper. When ejecting plain white paper, the plain white paper can be ejected without erasing the latent image and the toner image formed on the photoconductor, and the image formation on the OHP sheet can be performed on the normal plain paper. The image formation can be performed without any change.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the structure and operation of still another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 will be described. In this example,
As shown in FIG. 4, the developing unit 17 is supported by a support 30 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction,
In addition, the developing roller 17a of the developing unit 17 causes the levers 32 and 33 to be turned on / off by turning on / off the solenoid 31.
It is operated so as to come into contact with and separate from the photoconductor 15 via. Here, the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 is OH
If it is the P sheet 2, the plain paper 7 discharged onto the discharge tray 24 before the OHP sheet 2 is the photoconductor 15
In order to prevent the image formation on the plain paper 7 when passing through the sheet, the solenoid 31 is turned on based on the detection signal of the OHP sheet detection device 4 to retract the developing roller 17a from the photoconductor 15. The developing unit 17 prevents the latent image of the original written on the photoconductor 15 from being visualized. Then, when the plain paper 7 is discharged onto the discharge tray 24 as described above and the OHP sheet 2 temporarily stopped by the registration rollers 5 is fed again, the solenoid 31 is turned off and the photosensitive member is turned off. The developing roller 17a is brought close to 15 to make the latent image of the original written on the photoconductor 15 visible by the developing unit 17, and a target image is formed on the re-fed OHP sheet 2.

As described above, according to this embodiment, each OH
When a blank sheet is supplied between the P sheets, the developing roller of the developing unit is separated from the surface of the photoconductor to avoid image formation on the plain paper, so that the latent image formed on the photoconductor is removed. You can eject plain white paper without destroying it.

Next, the structure and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, a blank sheet discharged before the OHP sheet 2 on which a target image is formed is discharged as roll paper 34 made of plain paper in the image forming apparatus. The length of the OHP sheet 2 fed from the paper feed tray 1 is detected by the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40, and is fed by the roll paper feed roller 35 along the roll paper feed guide 36. Rolled paper 3
4 is cut according to the length of the OHP sheet 2 by the roll paper length cutter 37, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 24. Here, in the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40, as shown in FIG. 6, the detection optical path 40c between the light emitting element 40a and the light receiving element 40b is turned off by the actuator 40d when the recording paper is not fed. In this state, the actuator 40d is turned on by being swung by the fed recording paper and retracted from the detection optical path 40c. This makes this OH
The P sheet length detection sensor 40 has a period of time from when it is turned on to when it is turned off, that is, when the recording paper is the actuator 40.
Depending on the time during which d is rocked and the feeding speed of the recording paper,
The length of the fed recording paper can be calculated and obtained. Further, this OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the detection optical path 40c is formed so as to pass through the recording paper via the reflection member (mirror or prism) 40e. As described above, the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 is configured to detect the length of the OHP sheet 2 in the feeding direction and also to detect whether the fed recording paper is the OHP sheet 2. ing.
Therefore, according to this image forming apparatus, the original is set, the copy start button is pressed, and the recording paper is conveyed from the paper feed tray 1, so that the fed recording paper is the OHP sheet 2. If the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 detects whether or not the OHP sheet 2 is fed, the set original is read,
A desired image is formed on the OHP sheet 2, and the OHP sheet 2 detects the OHP sheet length detection sensor 4
When passing 0, the length of the OHP sheet 2 is detected, and the roll paper 34 sent out by the roll paper feeding roller 35 is adjusted in accordance with the detected length of the OHP sheet 2 to a roll paper length cutter. The roll paper 34 cut by 37 is discharged onto the discharge tray 24 before the OHP sheet 2 on which the image is formed is discharged.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the length of the fed OHP sheet is detected, and the roll paper held in the image forming apparatus is cut according to the length of the OHP sheet. Since the OHP sheets can be discharged between the OHP sheets, even if the same size (length) of the fed OHP sheets is not held in the image forming apparatus, the blank paper can be discharged between the OHP sheets. It is possible to efficiently use low-cost white paper (roll paper) that is not satisfactory as image forming paper (copy paper).

Next, the configuration and operation of another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 2 will be described. This image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
The size of the above-described cut roll paper 34 is set to be slightly longer than the length of the fed OHP sheet 2, and the cut roll paper 34a is cut before the OHP sheet 2 is discharged. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24. As a result, the length of the roll paper 34a discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24 becomes longer than the length of the OHP sheet 2, so that the above-described paper discharge operation is repeated, and as shown in FIG. Roll paper 34a inserted between each OHP sheet
Of the OHP sheet 2 is stacked so as to project from the end of the OHP sheet 2. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the stacked OHP sheets 2 are separated, the portion of the roll paper 34a projecting from the end of each OHP sheet 2 is turned over, so that O
The HP sheet 2 can be easily separated.

Next, referring to FIGS. 9 to 12,
The configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 3 will be described. In this image forming apparatus, the width (OH
OH of the length of the P sheet 2 in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction)
A mechanism for cutting the width of the roll paper 34, which is detected by the P sheet width detection sensor 41 and discharged between the OHP sheets 2, to the same width as the width of the fed OHP sheet 2 by the roll paper width cutter 42. have. In addition, roll paper 3
The length of 4 in the transport direction is cut by the roll paper length cutter 37 described above according to the length of the OHP sheet 2 detected by the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 described above.

Here, the OHP sheet width detection sensor 41
As shown in FIG. 9, the strain gauge 4 is attached at an appropriate position of a plate spring 41b made of stainless steel, one end of which is fixed by a support shaft 41a.
1c is attached, and the free end of the leaf spring 41b is lightly abutted on one side of the OHP sheet 2 fed so as to pass through the center of the registration roller 5. There is. The OHP sheet width detection sensor 41 has a distance y from the center of the OHP sheet 2 in the width direction to the contact portion of the leaf spring 41b, that is, O in FIG.
The strain gauge 41c converts a strain amount of the leaf spring 41b into an electric signal according to the width Y (Y = 2y) of the HP sheet 2 and outputs the electric signal. Therefore, the width Y of the OHP sheet 2 is detected by calculating the value of the distance y based on the output of the OHP sheet width detection sensor 41.

On the other hand, the roll paper width cutter 42 is shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, it is composed of a pair of disk-shaped cutters, and is rotatably supported by cutter support bodies 43 arranged at the feeding portion of the roll paper 34. The leader portion 34b of the roll paper 34 is fed by the roll paper feed roller 35 through a space between the cutter control roller 44, which is arranged so as to come in contact with and separate from the roll paper width cutter 42, and each roll paper width cutter 42. . Here, the cutter control roller 44 is the cutter support body 43.
When the roll paper 34 is moved and when it is not necessary to cut the roll paper 34, the roll paper 34 is retracted to a position (position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 10) separated from each roll paper width cutter 42, and when the roll paper 34 is cut, Contact the roll width cutter 42,
This cutter control roller 44 and each roll paper width cutter 4
It is moved to a position where both side parts of the roll paper 34 inserted between the two are cut.

Further, each cutter support body 43 has a rotatable cutter support body drive shaft 46 having a spiral groove 45 into which these cutter support bodies 43 are movably fitted, and a cutter support body 43 when the cutter support body 43 is moved. It is supported by a pair of cutter support guide stays 47 that regulate rotation. Here, the pair of cutter support body guide stays 47 are fixed to the immovable portion of the apparatus main body so as to be parallel to the cutter support body drive shaft 46. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the cutter support drive shaft 46 is driven via a drive belt 51 that is stretched between a driven pulley 48 fixed to one end thereof and a drive motor 49 drive pulley 50. The motor 49 rotates to rotate in a predetermined direction.

In FIG. 11, the drive motor 49 is the OH detected by the above-mentioned OHP sheet width detection sensor 41.
Based on the width Y of the P sheet 2 (FIG. 9), the separation distance Y ′ of each roll paper width cutter 42 is rotated until it becomes equal to the detected width Y value of the OHP sheet 2. As a result, the cutter support body drive shaft 46 is rotated in a predetermined direction via the driven pulley 48 and the drive belt 51, and each cutter support body 43 fitted in the spiral groove 45 of the cutter support body drive shaft 46 becomes Support guide stay 47
And the roll paper width cutters 42 are respectively moved to positions where their separation distance Y ′ is equal to the detected width Y of the OHP sheet 2. Here, as a method of controlling the moving position of each roll paper width cutter 42, rotation of the drive motor 49 is performed so that the separation distance Y ′ of each roll paper width cutter 42 becomes equal to the detected width Y of the OHP sheet 2. A method of calculating the amount to control the rotation of the drive motor 49, or a value of the distance Y ′ between the roll paper width cutters 42 and the detected width Y of the OHP sheet 2.
The method may be such that the rotation time of the drive motor 49 is calculated so as to equalize the above value and the current is supplied to the drive motor 49 for this time to control.

In this way, each roll paper width cutter 4 is made equal to the detected width Y of the OHP sheet 2.
2 with the roll paper width cutter 42
Against the roll paper 3 by the cutter control roller 44.
By rotating the leader portion 34b of 4 under pressure contact,
The leader portion 34b pulled out from the roll paper 34 is cut into a width equal to the width of the fed OHP sheet 2.
As a result, the roll paper 34a cut into the width equal to the width of the OHP sheet 2 is rolled into the roll paper 3 as shown in FIG.
4 is ejected toward the ejection tray 24 by the guide plate 52 that guides only the central portion of the roll paper 34, and the scrap paper 34c separated from both sides of the roll paper 34a hangs down due to its own weight, so This guide plate 5 is provided by the guide plate 53 that guides only the side portion.
It is collected in the waste paper box arranged at the bottom of 3.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the roll paper 34 held in the image forming apparatus is cut into the same size as the size of the OHP sheet 2 to be fed, and each O paper is cut.
Since there is a means for ejecting paper between HP sheets, even when an image is formed on an OHP sheet of a size different from the size of plain paper set in this image forming apparatus,
It is possible to eject a blank sheet of a size suitable for the size of this OHP sheet.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the structure and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 4 will be described. This image forming apparatus is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the recording sheet (or the blank sheet) discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 24 is provided with a sheet discharge position regulating roller 55 capable of operating the sheet discharge position, and an image is formed on the OHP sheet 2. At this time, the blank plain paper 7 having the same size as the size of the OHP sheet 2 is discharged earlier than the OHP sheet 2, and the discharge position regulating roller 55 causes the plain paper 7 to reach the discharge position. , The OHP sheet 2 and the discharge position of the OHP sheet 2 are alternately shifted and discharged on the discharge tray 24. That is, the discharge position regulation roller 55
In FIG. 13, after the OHP sheet 2 is discharged,
When the plain white paper 7 is completely discharged, rotate it
The plain paper 7 is moved to a position where it is moved 2 to 3 cm from the HP sheet 2 and is stopped. Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effect of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 described above, a plurality of OHP sheets discharged onto the discharge tray is
Can be easily separated one by one.

Next, referring to FIG. 15, claim 5
The configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the described invention will be described. In this image forming apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 14, the discharge position of the plain white paper 7 and the discharge position of the OHP sheet 2 are alternately shifted, and the discharge tray 24 is provided.
It has a function of ejecting upwards, and at the portion of the plain paper 7 that is ejected as a blank sheet, which is displaced from the OHP sheet 2,
It has a function of forming an index 56 such as a simple sentence, character, or number showing the content of the OHP sheet 2 to be discharged next. Here, since the number of characters or the like formed as the index 56 is limited, the character string is input through the operation unit of the image forming apparatus (a simple method such as Tepla). Further, as a method of inputting the index 56, a part of the image formed on the OHP sheet is PPC by a handy scanner.
A part of this image may be copied to the leading end of a blank sheet inserted in the (copying means) and inserted between OHP sheets in the sheet discharge direction. Further, as an input method of the index 56, the index number of the OHP sheet is input by the ten keys of the operation unit, and the input index number is copied to the leading end of the blank sheet inserted between the OHP sheets in the sheet discharge direction. Good.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of OHP sheets discharged onto the paper discharge tray can be easily separated one by one, and the contents of the image formed on the OHP sheet can be obtained without directly observing the OHP sheets. Can be confirmed.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since there is a mechanism for judging the type of the recording paper fed and discharging a blank paper between each OHP sheet, and a control means. It is possible to form an image on the OHP sheet and supply a blank sheet between the OHP sheets without notifying the image forming apparatus of the image formation on the OHP sheet in advance. Further, according to the present invention, when a recording sheet in which an OHP sheet and a blank sheet are alternately stacked is set on the sheet feeding tray, the blank sheet can be discharged as it is after forming an image on the OHP sheet, and the sheet can be discharged on the sheet feeding tray. When only the OHP sheet is set on the sheet, the plain paper held in the image forming apparatus can be discharged as a blank sheet between the OHP sheets, so that the setting condition of the image forming apparatus can be changed by switching the mode. Instead, the above operation can be automatically performed. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the length of the fed OHP sheet is detected, and the roll paper held in the image forming apparatus is cut in accordance with the length of the OHP sheet so that each OHP sheet Since the paper can be ejected in the meantime, even if a blank sheet of the same size (length) as the fed OHP sheet is not held in the image forming apparatus, each OH sheet
White paper can be discharged between P sheets, and image forming paper (copy paper)
As a result, low cost white paper (roll paper) that is not satisfactory can be efficiently used.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the roll paper held in the image forming apparatus is cut into the same size as the size of the OHP sheet to be fed, and the paper is discharged between the OHP sheets. Since the means is provided, even when an image is formed on an OHP sheet having a size different from the size of the plain paper set in the image forming apparatus, the OHP sheet can be used.
It is possible to eject a blank sheet of a size that matches the size of the sheet.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, the plurality of OHP sheets discharged onto the discharge tray can be easily separated one by one. .

According to the invention of claim 5, a plurality of OHP sheets discharged onto the discharge tray can be easily separated one by one, and the OHP sheets can be formed on the OHP sheet without directly observing them. You can check the contents of the displayed image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing the configuration of still another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of an OHP sheet length detection sensor in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of an OHP sheet width detection sensor in the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a roll paper cutting unit of the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a roll paper cutting unit of the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a roll paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Paper Tray 2 OHP Sheet 3,8,26 Pickup Roller 4 OHP Sheet Detector 5 Registration Roller 6 Paper Tray 7 Plain Paper 9, 11, 13, 27, 28 Conveying Roller 10, 12, 14, 29 Conveying Guide 15 Photoconductor 16 Charger charger 17 Developing unit 18 Transfer charger 19 Separation charger 20 Conveying separation guide 21 Fixing roller 22 Paper ejection guide 23 Paper ejection roller 24 Paper ejection tray 25 Cleaning unit 34 Roll paper 35 Roll paper feeding roller 36 Roll paper feeding Guide 37 Roll paper length cutter 40 OHP sheet length detection sensor 41 OHP sheet width detection sensor 42 Roll paper width cutter 43 Cutter support 44 Cutter control roller 45 Spiral groove 46 Cutter support drive shaft 47 Cutter support guide Tape 48 driven pulley 49 driving motor 50 driving pulley 51 driving a belt 52, 53 guide plate 54 wastepaper box 55 sheet discharging position restriction roller 56 Index

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location G03G 15/00 108 7369-2H 302 H04N 1/00 108 M 7046-5C

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming a desired image on a fed recording paper, and an OHP sheet storage section for storing an OHP sheet, and an OHP sheet storage section. And an OHP sheet feeding means for feeding OHP sheets one by one, a sheet storage section for storing sheets, a sheet feeding section for feeding the sheets stored in the sheet storage section one by one, and a sheet feeding section. A non-image sheet discharging means for discharging a sheet without forming an image on the formed recording sheet, and the recording sheet when the recording sheet is fed from the OHP sheet storing section is an OHP sheet, a plain sheet or a recycled sheet. A recording paper identifying means for detecting whether there is any, and a recording paper feeding control means for temporarily stopping the feeding of the recording paper from the OHP sheet storage portion in the middle of the feeding path and at the same time feeding the paper from the paper storage portion. With and above When the recording paper fed from the HP sheet storage unit is an OHP sheet, the feeding of the OHP sheet from the OHP sheet storage unit is temporarily stopped in the middle of the feeding path, and at the same time the paper is loaded from the paper storage unit. Delivery,
After the sheet is discharged without forming an image on this sheet, a target image is formed on the temporarily stopped OHP sheet, and the recording sheet fed from the OHP sheet storage section is a plain sheet or a recycled sheet. In some cases, an image forming apparatus that forms a target image on a fed recording sheet. 2. An image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming a desired image on a fed recording sheet, and an OHP sheet storage section for storing an OHP sheet, and an OHP sheet storage section. OHP sheet feeding means for feeding the OHP sheets one by one, a roll paper storage portion for storing the roll paper, and a roll paper feeding means for feeding the roll paper from the roll paper storage portion. OHP sheet length detection means for detecting the length of the OHP sheet in the conveying direction, and the OHP sheet before forming an image on the OHP sheet.
A roll paper length cutting means for cutting the roll paper into a size slightly longer than the length in the sheet conveying direction, and an image-free paper discharge means for discharging the fed / cut roll paper without forming an image An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. An image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming an intended image on a fed recording paper, and an OHP sheet storage section for storing an OHP sheet, and an OHP sheet storage section. OHP sheet feeding means for feeding the OHP sheets one by one, a roll paper storage portion for storing a roll paper having a width equal to or larger than the maximum size of OHP sheets that can be fed, and the roll paper storage portion Roll paper feeding means for feeding paper and OHP for feeding
OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet in the conveying direction, and the above O before the image is formed on the OHP sheet.
Roll paper cutting and cutting means for cutting the roll paper into a size slightly longer than the length of the HP sheet in the transport direction, and OHP for detecting the width of the fed OHP sheet in the transport direction.
A sheet width detecting means, a roll paper width cutting means for cutting the roll paper to the same width as the width of the OHP sheet in the conveying direction before forming an image on the OHP sheet, and an image of the fed / cut roll paper. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image-free sheet discharging unit that discharges without forming a sheet. 4. The size of a non-image sheet discharged before an image is formed on the OHP sheet is made the same as the size of the fed OHP sheet, and the size is shifted from the discharge position of the OHP sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-image paper is discharged. 5. A character, a number, or the like, which indicates the characteristics of the image formed on the OHP sheet, is provided on the protruding portion of the non-image sheet discharged before the image is formed on the OHP sheet, which does not overlap the OHP sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an index is formed.