JPH09315610A - Sheet stacking device, sheet feeding device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold down the upper ends of sheets such as envelopes so as to feed envelopes stably even at the time of sticking swollen envelopes, envelopes with flaps, or the like by providing retaining members for holding down both width direction ends of stacked sheets. SOLUTION: In retaining members 12, parallel pins 12a are passed through through-holes 8c1 provided in both side regulating members 8c, and fasteners are fitted to prevent slip-off of the parallel pins 12a, and rotors such as rollers 12b are rotatably fitted to these parallel pins 12a. Two pairs of retaining members 12 are provided in the opposed positions of the respective side regulating members 8c. Accordingly, when envelopes S2 are stacked on an inner plate, the retaining members 12 are positioned in the width direction of the envelopes S2, and the inner plate is pushed up by spring pressure, so that the retaining members 12 hold down the uppermost position of the envelopes S2 to suppress the bulge of the envelopes S2. The retaining members 12 hold down also a flap S3 provided on one side in the width direction of the envelope S2 so as to suppress opening of the flap S3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet stacking device and a sheet feeding device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and an image forming apparatus using the same, and more particularly to a sheet such as an envelope. The present invention also relates to a sheet stacking device and the like capable of stably stacking and feeding.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a copying machine, a printer, or the like, in order to automatically feed sheets, a large number of sheets are stacked and set on a sheet stacking device, and the sheets are fed by a feeding roller or the like. They are separated and fed one by one.

In many cases, a cassette containing sheets is detachable so that sheets of different sizes can be fed.

[0004]

However, in the conventional automatic sheet feeding, swelling like an envelope occurs,
When a sheet having a flap is stacked and fed, an expanded envelope or an envelope with the flap opened may collide with a feeding port, and a feeding failure may occur.

An object of the present invention is to enable a sheet stacking device or the like to feed a sheet having a flap such as an envelope without causing a feeding failure.

[0006]

A typical structure according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a sheet stacking device for stacking fed sheets, and a stacking member for stacking sheets. A pressing member for pressing the upper surface of the sheets stacked on the stacking member, the pressing members being provided at both ends in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking member, and the pressing members being fed. It is characterized in that it is composed of a rotating body rotatable in any direction.

In the above-mentioned structure, even if a bulging envelope or an envelope having a flap is stacked, the upper surface of the envelope is pressed by the pressing member, so that the sheet of the envelope can be stably fed. .

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective explanatory view of attaching the sheet stacking device to the cassette, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the sheet stacking device, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams of a state in which sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking device, and FIG. 5 is an image. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of the forming apparatus, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet cassette.

As the order of description, the overall structure of the image forming apparatus will be described first, and then the structures of the sheet stacking apparatus and the sheet feeding apparatus will be described.

[Description of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus] In FIG. 5, an image forming apparatus main body A has a scanner section B serving as an image reading unit for reading image information of an image surface of a book document on an upper portion thereof, and a lower portion thereof. And an image forming unit C serving as an image forming unit, and a sheet feeding device D is attached to the lower portion thereof.

The scanner unit B includes a scanning light source 201, a platen glass 202, a document pressure plate 203 that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body A, a mirror 204, a lens 205, a light receiving element (photoelectric conversion element) 206, and an image processing section. And so on. Then, on the platen glass 202, books or cardboard,
Place a book document such as curled paper or a sheet document with the document side facing down, press the back side of the document pressure plate 203 to set it in a stationary state, and press the reading start key to turn on the scanning system light source 201. The lower part of the platen glass 202 is scanned in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 5 to read the image information on the document surface. Scanning light source
The image information of the document read by 201 is processed by the image processing unit, converted into an electric signal and transmitted to the laser scanner 111.

Here, the image forming apparatus main body A functions as a copying machine when the processing signal of the image processing section is input to the laser scanner 111, and functions as a printer when the output signal of the personal computer is input. If a transmission signal from a facsimile device of another device is input or a processing signal of the image processing unit is transmitted to a facsimile device of another device, the device functions as a facsimile device.

On the other hand, a sheet cassette 1 is attached to the lower portion of the image forming section C, and the sheet cassette 1 is composed of two lower cassettes 1a and upper cassettes 1b as one feeding unit. In this embodiment, three feeding units U1, U2, and U3 are mounted, and six cassettes are mounted. One upper feeding unit U1 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body A, and two lower feeding units U2 and U3 are detachably attached to the sheet feeding device D.

The sheets accommodated in the cassettes 1a and 1b are fed out by a pickup roller 3 which is a feeding rotating body, as will be described later, and cooperate with a feed roller 4 and a retard roller 5 which constitute separating means. After being separated and fed one by one by the image forming unit C, the image forming unit C is conveyed by the conveying rollers 104 and 105 constituting the conveying unit, guided to the registration roller 106, and synchronized with the image forming operation by the roller 106. Is sent to.

The image forming section C includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 11
2. An image writing optical system 113, a developing device 114, a transfer charging device 115, and the like. Then, the laser beam corresponding to the image information emitted from the laser scanner 111 is scanned by the image writing optical system 113 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 112 uniformly charged by the charger to form a latent image. A toner image is formed on the image by the developing device 114, and the toner image is transferred to the first surface of the sheet by the transfer charging device 115 on the sheet conveyed by the registration roller 106 in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 112.

In FIG. 5, 117 is a conveyor belt for conveying the sheet on which the toner image is formed, 118 is a fixing device, and 119 is a discharge roller. The sheet on which the toner image is formed is conveyed to a fixing device 118 by a conveying belt 117, heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the sheet surface, and then discharged onto a sorter 120 disposed outside the apparatus by a discharge roller 119. Ejected and loaded.

When recording images on both sides of the sheet, the sheet discharged from the fixing device 118 is the discharge roller.
When the trailing edge of the sheet is nipped by 119 and the trailing edge of the sheet passes the branch point 207, the discharge roller 119 reverses and the sheet is fed to the duplex tray.
After the sheet is once placed on the sheet 121, it is conveyed by the conveying rollers 104 and 105, reaches the registration roller 106, and the reversed sheet has an image formed on the second surface in the same manner as described above, and then the sorter 120. Is configured to be discharged and loaded.

In the sheet feeding device D, as described above, the sheets stacked and accommodated in the lower cassette 1a or the upper cassette 1b are sequentially fed by the pickup roller 3, and these upper and lower cassettes 1a and 1b are respectively fed. It is configured as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 2 denotes a main cassette main body, which is a sheet containing portion formed by a side regulating member 2a for regulating the widthwise end of the sheet S1 and a rear edge regulating member 2b for regulating the rear end of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction. Are formed. The sheet storage portion is provided with an opening 2c.
An intermediate plate 6 is provided so as to cover c. The intermediate plate 6 is rotatably supported around a hinge portion 7, and when the main cassette body 2 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, an intermediate plate pressing member (not shown) arranged below the opening 2c. ), The uppermost sheet S1 stacked and stored on the intermediate plate 6 is stopped by the pickup roller 3 at a position where it can be fed.

A sheet stacking device can be attached to the main cassette 2.

[Description of Configurations of Sheet Stacking Device and Sheet Feeding Device] Next, the sheet stacking device and the sheet feeding device that mounts the sheet stacking device and feeds a sheet will be described.

The middle plate 6 of the main cassette 2 can be attached to and detached from the hinge portion 7. When the middle plate 6 is removed, as shown in FIG. Four fitting holes 2d for detachably mounting E are provided. On the other hand, envelope-only cassette E
The bottom plate 8a of the four pins 8 corresponding to the fitting holes 2d.
b is projectingly formed, and by inserting and removing the pin 8b into the insertion hole 2d, the envelope-dedicated cassette E can be attached to and detached from the main cassette 2.

The envelope-dedicated cassette E is used for stacking envelopes having flaps as sheets or envelopes that are easily swelled and feeding them to the image forming means for printing addresses and the like. Therefore, the sheet fed in the present embodiment is a concept including not only a so-called cut sheet but also an envelope and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cassette E for exclusive use of envelopes is provided with both side regulating members 8c for regulating movement by abutting the end portion of the envelope in the width direction (direction orthogonal to the feeding direction), and the envelope feeding. A rear end regulating member 8d that abuts on the rear end in the feeding direction to regulate the movement forms an envelope housing portion that can regulate the positional deviation of the envelope. The both side regulating members 8c and the rear end regulating member 8d can be slid by a mechanism (not shown) according to the size of the envelope to be loaded and accommodated.

An intermediate plate 9 which is a sheet stacking member is provided in the envelope accommodating portion. Further, a claw 10 is formed on the bottom surface of the envelope accommodating portion, and the intermediate plate 9 is pressed upward from below by a spring 11 retained by the claw 10. As a result, the middle plate 9 is always pushed up, and the envelope loaded on the middle plate 9 is also pushed up accordingly, and the envelope can be stopped at a position where it can be fed by the pickup roller 3. There is.

Further, the side regulating member 8c is provided with a pressing member 12 for suppressing the expansion of the envelope to be loaded and the opening of the flap. The pressing member 12 is provided with a parallel pin 12a in a through hole 8c1 provided in both side regulating members 8c.
The parallel pin 12a is prevented from coming off by attaching a fastener therethrough, and a rotary body such as a roller 12b is rotatably attached to the parallel pin 12a. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, two pairs of pressing members 12 are provided at the positions where the side regulating members 8c face each other.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the envelope S2 is loaded on the middle plate 9, the pressing members 12 are located at both ends in the width direction of the envelope S2, and the middle plate 9 is pushed up by the spring 11. The uppermost part of the envelope S2 is pressed by the pressing member 12, and the bulge of the envelope S2 is suppressed. Also,
The flap S3 provided on one side in the width direction of the envelope S2 is pressed by the pressing member 12, and the opening of the flap S3 is suppressed.

When the feeding operation is started in this state, the uppermost envelope S2 is fed by the pickup roller 3 and the envelope S2 is prevented from bulging and opening of the flap S3 as described above. The sheet is smoothly fed without hitting the feeding port, and is conveyed without skewing. In addition, at the time of the above-mentioned feeding, the roller 12 that has come into contact with the envelope S2
Since b is driven to rotate in the feeding direction, the feeding operation is not hindered even when the roller 12b and the envelope S2 to be fed are in pressure contact.

In order to stabilize the feeding of the envelope S2, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one pair of pressing members 12 among a plurality of pressing members 12 provided in the direction of the rotation axis L of the pickup roller 3 are provided. A nearby region (for example, a range in which the rotation axis of the roller 12b is within the diameter of the pickup roller 3 in the sheet feeding direction as shown in FIG. 4B) R or the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction with respect to the pickup roller 3. It is preferable to be provided in. With this configuration, the stacking height of the envelope S2 when the envelope S2 is fed can be regulated by the position of the pickup roller 3, and the twisting at the time of feeding can be eliminated to realize stable feeding. This is because.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the electrophotographic image forming means is applied as the image forming means has been described, but the image forming means having an ink jet head, a thermal head or the like as the other image forming means. The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus equipped with.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pressing member 12
Roller-shaped roller 12
Although b and the pickup roller 3 are shown as examples, the pickup roller 3 may not be a roller but may be an endless belt that is wound between pulleys.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the pressing members for pressing the widthwise both ends of the stacked sheets are provided, even if a bulged envelope, an envelope with a flap, or the like is stacked, these members can be stacked. By pressing the upper surface, a sheet such as an envelope can be stably fed.

Further, by providing the pressing members in the vicinity of the rotation axis of the feeding rotating body or by providing a plurality of pairs in the sheet feeding direction, it becomes possible to more stably feed the sheet such as an envelope. Is.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet stacking device attached to a cassette.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a sheet stacking device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a state in which envelopes are stacked on the sheet stacking device.

FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory view of a sheet feeding device in which a pressing member is provided in the vicinity of a rotation axis of a pickup roller.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... Device body B ... Scanner unit C ... Image forming unit D ... Sheet feeding device E ... Envelope dedicated cassette S1, S2 ... Sheets U1 to U3 ... Feeding unit 1 ... Sheet cassette 1a ... Lower cassette 1b ... Upper cassette 2 ... Main cassette 2a ... Side regulating member 2b ... Rear end regulating member 2c ... Opening 2d ... Fitting hole 3 ... Pickup roller 4 ... Feed roller 5 ... Retard roller 6 ... Middle plate 7 ... Hinge part 8a ... Bottom plate 8b ... Pin 8c ... Side regulation Member 8d ... Rear end regulating member 9 ... Middle plate 10 ... Claw 11 ... Spring 12 ... Pressing member 12a ... Parallel pin 12b ... Roller

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A sheet stacking device for stacking fed sheets, comprising: a stacking member for stacking sheets, and a pressing member for pressing an upper surface of the sheets stacked on the stacking member. A sheet stacking apparatus, wherein the pressing member is provided at both ends in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking member, and the pressing member is composed of a rotating body rotatable in the sheet feeding direction. 2. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is attached to a side restricting member for restricting an end portion in the width direction of sheets stacked on the stacking member. 3. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pairs of the pressing members are provided on both sides in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking member. 4. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pairs of the pressing members are arranged in the sheet feeding direction. 5. A sheet feeding device for feeding sheets stacked on a sheet stacking device, comprising: a stacking member for stacking sheets, and a pressing member for pressing an upper surface of the sheets stacked on the stacking member. A feeding rotary body for feeding the uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet stacking member, and a part of the pressing member is at both ends in the sheet width direction in the rotation axis direction of the feeding rotary body. A sheet feeding device, which is provided in the vicinity of a portion. 6. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pressing member is composed of a rotating body rotatable in the sheet feeding direction. 7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of pairs of the pressing members are provided on both sides in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking member. 8. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the pressing member is attached to a side regulating member for regulating an end portion in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking member. 9. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a fed sheet, wherein the sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8 for feeding the sheet, and the sheet feeding apparatus. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet fed by the apparatus.