JPH10129055A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact recorder capable of printing an image on a long recording paper to discharge it by a constitution wherein even when a paper discharge tray is placed at a portion higher than a trash box, a quantity of cut wastepaper can be readily visually observed during the operation of the device. SOLUTION: There is disclosed a thermal transfer recorder having a function that a waste part of a recording paper on which an image is already printed is cut. It comprises a trash box 24 for storing cut waste pieces of paper of which front section facing the external portion is made of a transparent member, a paper discharge tray 17 which is openably placed at a portion upper than the trash box 24 and a window member 70 for seeing the inner section of the trash box from above the paper discharge tray which is opened. The window member is disposed on a recess section 71 which is provided to a housing in alignment with a sight line. The opened paper discharge tray is inclined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a recording apparatus having a function of cutting an unnecessary portion of a recording sheet after reproducing an image and having a trash box for storing cut paper pieces, that is, chips.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a recording apparatus having a function of cutting unnecessary portions of a recording paper after reproducing an image (a leading end portion and / or a trailing end portion of the recording paper, etc.), the recording device is used in a photo lab where printing is performed. A thermal transfer recording apparatus to be used is known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-329385).

[0003] This thermal transfer recording apparatus 100 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a paper discharge unit is provided on the front side of the apparatus shown on the left front side in the figure, and a paper supply unit 101 is provided on the back side. As shown in FIG. 1B, the thermal transfer recording apparatus 100 is provided with a paper cutting section 102 for cutting unnecessary portions of the recording paper after reproducing an image, and a trash box 103 for storing chips. It is provided on the front side of the device so that it can be freely inserted and removed. The recording paper from which the unnecessary portion has been cut is discharged vertically through a paper discharge port 104 onto a paper discharge tray 105 provided on the front surface of the trash box 103.

The trash box 103 has at least a front surface facing the outside formed of a transparent material such as acrylic resin. The paper discharge tray 105 is formed integrally with the trash box 103 and extends along the bottom surface of the trash box 103.
Therefore, the transparent front portion of the trash box 103 is not hidden by the paper discharge tray 105, and the amount of the chips 106 accumulated in the trash box 103 is visually checked from the front side of the trash box 103.

[0005] The thermal transfer recording apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration can print a recording sheet having a relatively small size in the longitudinal direction, as is apparent from the point that the recording sheet is discharged vertically onto the discharge tray 105. It is assumed that images are reproduced. In addition, by discharging the recording paper in the vertical direction, the printed surface is easy to see and is easy to use, the length of the discharge tray 105 can be shortened, and a small space has been achieved.

[0006]

A thermal transfer recording apparatus having a function of cutting an unnecessary portion of a recording sheet is required to reproduce an image on a recording sheet of various sizes, particularly, a recording sheet having a relatively large size in the longitudinal direction. There is a demand for increased versatility.

Here, when the size of the recording paper is small, the cut chips are relatively small, so that it is difficult for the chips to jump out of the trash box 103. Therefore, the leading end of the recording paper transported to the paper cutting unit 102 in the transport direction does not come into contact with the swarf unless a considerable amount of swarf is accumulated in the trash box 103. However, if the size of the recording paper is large,
Since the cut chips also become relatively large, a situation may occur in which the whole chips do not fit in the trash box 103 and jump out toward the paper cutting unit 102. Such a situation is more likely to occur as the amount of chips in the trash box 103 increases. Therefore, when an image can be reproduced on a large-sized recording paper, it is most important that the amount of chips in the trash box 103 can be easily visually checked.

When the size of the recording paper is small,
As shown in FIG. 4B, the recording paper sent through the paper passing path 107 is moved from the horizontal direction by about 60 ° (α = about 3 in the figure).
0 °) By tilting and discharging (discharging vertically), the length of the discharge tray 105 can be shortened. However, when the recording paper is discharged in such a form when the size of the recording paper is large, even if the leading end of the recording paper strikes the discharge tray 105, the trailing end of the recording paper still remains in the paper cutting unit 102. Therefore, an accurate cutting operation cannot be performed. Therefore, in order to reproduce an image on a large-size recording sheet, it is necessary to discharge the recording sheet at an angle close to the horizontal direction.

Although the size of the paper discharge tray 105 must be increased in accordance with the size of the recording paper, if the large paper discharge tray 105 is mounted substantially horizontally,
The installation space of the whole apparatus becomes remarkably large. In order to reduce the installation space, the paper discharge tray 105 needs to be arranged obliquely.

In order to make it difficult to reach the paper cutting section 102 from the hole from which the trash box 103 is removed, the trash box 103 is provided as low as possible in the thermal transfer recording apparatus 100. For this reason, the discharge tray 10
5 along the bottom of the trash can 103, the output tray 10
There is a limit to the angle at which 5 is inclined, and it is not possible to achieve a small space. Therefore, when an image can be reproduced even on a large-sized recording paper, it is necessary to provide a mounting fulcrum for the discharge tray above the trash can.

As a result, the transparent front portion of the trash box 103 is hidden by the paper discharge tray 105, and a long length that "the amount of chips in the trash box 103 can be easily visually checked during use of the apparatus". When reproducing an image on a recording sheet and discharging the sheet, the most important items cannot be satisfied.

Therefore, the present invention provides a recording apparatus having a function of cutting unnecessary portions of a recording sheet after image reproduction,
Even if the output tray is located above the recycle bin, the amount of chips in the recycle bin can be easily visually checked while the machine is in use, so images can be reproduced on long recording paper and output. It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact recording device capable of performing such operations.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus having a function of cutting an unnecessary portion of a recording sheet after reproducing an image. A trash box formed of a transparent member, at least a surface facing the outside while storing the cut swarf, a discharge tray disposed openably and closably above the trash box, and a discharge tray in an open state. A window member for viewing the inside of the trash box from above.

In the recording apparatus having such a configuration, when the paper discharge tray is opened, the transparent surface of the trash can is hidden by the paper discharge tray. Check the amount of waste visually. When the paper output tray is closed, the transparent surface of the trash can faces the outside. Through this surface, the amount of chips is visually checked. In addition, by disposing the discharge tray above the trash can, the discharge tray can be inclined downward at a relatively large angle from the horizontal position, and the installation area of the recording apparatus is reduced. Even if the output tray is placed above the recycle bin, the amount of chips in the recycle bin can be visually checked while the machine is in use. obtain.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the window member is disposed in a recess provided in the exterior according to the line of sight.

By providing the window member in the recess, the area where the inside of the trash can can be seen from above the paper discharge tray is widened. By looking over the entire area of the trash can, the visual confirmation of the amount of chips becomes accurate and easy.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are external perspective views showing a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A shows a state in which a paper discharge tray is closed, and FIG. 1B shows a paper discharge tray. In the open state. Also, FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the thermal transfer recording apparatus in a state where an ink film cassette is loaded. For convenience of description, the edge of the recording paper that is the leading end when the recording paper is discharged is referred to as the leading end of the recording paper.

<< Overall Configuration of Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus 10 >> The illustrated thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 is used, for example, in a developing station for printing a photograph, and the information recorded on a plurality of frames of a negative film is recorded on one recording paper. It is used to output a so-called index print or the like which is reproduced in the form of an index.
A control device (not shown) for performing various image processing on information recorded on the negative film is connected to the thermal transfer recording device 10 via an interface, and image signals and control signals from the control device are input via the interface. It is supposed to be.

A lid member 12 is mounted on an upper surface of a housing 11 forming an exterior of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 so as to be openable and closable about a swing shaft 12a (see FIG. 2). An ink film cassette is opened with the lid member 12 opened. Housing 11
Is loaded at a predetermined position. The left front side in the figure is the front surface of the apparatus 10. A paper discharge unit is provided on the front side, and a paper supply unit 21 is provided on the back side. In the paper feed unit 21,
A paper feed tray 14 containing a plurality of recording sheets is provided at an angle. Further, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10,
A paper cutting unit is provided for cutting unnecessary portions of the recording paper (the leading end and / or the trailing end of the recording paper) after reproducing the image, and a trash can 24 for storing cut chips is provided on the front side of the apparatus. It is provided so that it can be inserted and removed freely. This recycle bin 24 has an open upper surface,
At least the front surface, which is a surface facing the outside, is formed of a transparent member such as an acrylic resin, so that the amount of chips stored inside can be visually determined from the outside of the recording apparatus 10. The recording paper after the unnecessary portion has been cut is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 17 through the paper discharge port 16. The paper discharge tray 17 is disposed at a position above the trash box 24 so as to be freely opened and closed. A fulcrum 17a for attaching the paper discharge tray 17 to the housing 11 is provided above the trash box 24 (see FIG. 2).

The paper discharge tray 17 and the paper feed tray 14 are provided at an angle. In particular, since the paper discharge tray 17 is disposed above the trash box 24, it can be inclined downward at a relatively large angle from the horizontal position. Therefore, the installation space of the entire thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 is small, and the recording apparatus is suitable for being installed in a place where the working space is narrow. In addition, by inclining the discharge tray 17 downward, the printing surface is easy to see and the usability is improved.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10, an ink film coated with a heat sublimable ink is used, and a recording paper serving as an image receiving paper for trapping the sublimated ink is a thick thick paper (such as photographic paper). 150-250μ
m).

When the thermal transfer recording device 10 is not used,
As shown in FIG. 1A, the paper discharge tray 17 is in the way, so the paper discharge tray 17 is closed. When the discharge tray 17 is closed, a switch (not shown) is operated to prohibit the printing operation.

On the other hand, when the thermal transfer recording device 10 is used, as shown by the reference numeral in FIG.
Is opened to expose the paper discharge port 16 to the outside. The paper discharge tray 17 is provided with a first auxiliary tray 17b attached to the front side so as to be able to be pulled out, and a second auxiliary tray 17c foldably attached to the tip of the first auxiliary tray 17b. . Then, when printing on a long recording paper, the first auxiliary tray 17b is further pulled out as indicated by the reference numeral or the second auxiliary tray 1b is indicated as indicated by the reference numeral.
7c is spread and used.

In particular, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, a window member for viewing the inside of the trash box 24 from above the open paper discharge tray 17. 70 are provided. The window member 70 is arranged in a depression 71 provided in the housing in accordance with the line of sight. The window member 70 and the recess 71 will be described later.

<< Internal Configuration of Thermal Transfer Recording Apparatus 10 >> The internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 will be outlined with reference to FIG.
A printing section 20 which is located at a substantially central portion and has a recording paper 18 transported in a parallel transport mode, and which is located on the back side of the apparatus and is inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees above the printing section 20; It has a paper feed unit 21 provided, and a paper discharge unit 22 provided on the opposite side of the paper feed unit 21 across the print unit 20. By making the printing unit 20 a parallel transport system,
The printing quality of the thick and stiff recording paper 18 is improved. Further, by providing the paper discharge unit 22 on the opposite side of the paper supply unit 21 with the print unit 20 interposed therebetween, usability such as using a facsimile can be obtained, and the apparatus form is easily accepted by the user. The paper discharge unit 22 is provided with a paper cutting unit 23, and the trash box 24 is disposed below the paper cutting unit 23. Further, a control unit 19 that performs predetermined image processing on an image signal input from an external control device and controls the operation of the recording device 10 is also built in.

The internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 will be described in detail. A platen roller 25 is rotatably supported in the housing 11, and a head base having a thermal head 26 is provided on the inner side of the lid member 12. Reference numeral 27 is attached to the platen roller 25 so as to be movable forward and backward.
When the head base 27 moves forward with respect to the platen roller 25, the thermal head 26 moves to a position where it comes into pressure contact with the platen roller 25. On the other hand, when the head base 27 moves backward with respect to the platen roller 25, the thermal head 26 makes pressure contact. Move to the position to release. The head base 27 is held by a resilient means such as a spring (not shown) so as to hold the thermal head 26 at a position retracted with respect to the platen roller 25, that is, at a pressure release position.
It is urged in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. The drive shaft 28 rotatably attached to the lid member 12 has an eccentric cam 2 for pressure contact.
9 is fixed. When the drive shaft 28 is rotationally driven by the thermal head drive motor M1, the press-contact eccentric cam 29
Abuts on the head base 27 to move the head base 27 forward, whereby the thermal head 26 is pressed against the platen roller 25. When the lid member 12 is closed, the lid member 12 is fastened to the housing 11 by engaging means such as an engaging pin (not shown).

Thermal head 26 and platen roller 25
A belt-like ink film 32 which is fed out of the supply reel 30 and wound up on the take-up reel 31 is transported. Ink film 3
No. 2 is formed by applying three color ink layers of yellow, magenta and cyan to the base film in this order. In addition, an ink film coated with white ink or an overcoat agent as needed is also used. If the ink film 32 is not used, the ink film 32 is wound on the supply reel 30, and the ink film 32 is wound on the take-up reel 31 as the ink film 32 is used.

Both the supply and take-up reels 30, 31
Are stored in the ink film cassette 33.
This ink film cassette 33 is detachable from the housing 11. A part of the gear 35 connected to the take-up reel 31 faces an opening formed in the ink film cassette 33, and an ink film take-up drive gear 36 provided in the apparatus main body is engaged with the gear 35 when the cassette is mounted. . The driving gear 36 is connected to the motor M2.
Is driven to rotate.

In order to form a conveyance path for the ink film 32, an ink film take-up roller 37 is rotatably provided at a position where the ink film 32 enters the inside of the cassette 33 when the cassette is mounted. The ink film take-up roller 37 is a roller whose surface is formed of a rubber material or the like having a high frictional resistance, and is rotated by an ink film take-up motor M3. An electromagnetic clutch (not shown) is provided between the ink film winding motor M3 and the ink film winding roller 37. The electromagnetic clutch is turned on only when heading of the ink film 32 is performed during non-printing when the thermal head 26 is not pressed against the platen roller 25, and is turned off in other states, for example, during printing.

At the time of printing, the thermal head 26 is in pressure contact with the platen roller 25, and the ink film 32 is in contact with the platen roller 25 and the thermal head 26.
The recording paper 18 is drawn out of the supply reel 30 by a frictional force between the recording paper 18 and the recording paper 18 conveyed between them, and is conveyed at the same speed as the moving speed of the recording paper 18. The ink film 32 fed out from the supply reel 30 is rotated by the motor M2 via the drive gear 36 and the gear 35 to rotate the take-up reel 31, so that the ink film guide plate 38 provided at the tip of the thermal head 26 and the ink film guide plate 38 It is guided by the take-up roller 37 and taken up by the take-up reel 31. At the time of this printing, the electromagnetic clutch is turned off, and the ink film take-up roller 37
The rotation of the ink film 32 is caused by the rotation of the ink film 32 and the guide roller guides the conveyance of the ink film 32.

At the time of non-printing, the thermal head 26
Is released from the pressure contact with the platen roller 25, and when the cue of the ink film 32 is performed, the electromagnetic clutch is turned on and the ink film take-up roller 37 is driven to rotate by the ink film take-up motor M3. Then
The ink film 32 is rotated by the frictional force between the ink film winding roller 37 and the supply reel 3.
0 and is wound up on the take-up reel 31.

The recording paper 18 is held on the paper feed tray 14 in an inclined state. In order to regulate the width direction of the recording paper 18, the paper feed tray 14 is provided with a width regulating plate 40. I have. The width regulating plate 40 is slidable in the width direction according to the size of the recording paper 18. Also,
A cover 41 (see FIG. 1) for preventing dust and the like from adhering to the recording paper 18 is attached to the paper feed tray 14 so as to be openable and closable about a hinge (not shown). The cover 41 is formed of a transparent member such as an acrylic resin, so that the remaining amount of the recording paper 18 stored in the paper feed tray 14 can be visually determined.

The recording paper 18 on the paper feed tray 14 is fed one by one by a paper feed roller 45 and a separating member 46 arranged with a small gap to the paper feed roller 45. The sheet is conveyed while being guided by the guide member 47. The paper feed roller 45 is driven to rotate by a paper feed motor M4.

On the upstream side of the platen roller 25, adjacent to the platen roller 25, a grip roller 50 and a pinch roller 5 which comes into contact with the grip roller 50 are disposed.
1 and the fed recording paper 18 is fed between the rollers 50 and 51. Grip roller 5
Reference numeral 0 is rotationally driven by a grip roller driving motor M5, and the pinch roller 51 is driven to rotate as the recording paper is conveyed.

On the downstream side of the platen roller 25, a first discharge roller pair 53 located on the paper discharge port 16 side and a platen roller 25 side for discharging the recording paper 18 onto the paper discharge tray 17. The second discharge roller pair 54 is attached at a predetermined distance. These discharge rollers 5
3 and 54 are driven to rotate by a transport motor M6 composed of a pulse motor. The second discharge roller pair 54 is driven to rotate in both forward and reverse directions by a transport motor M6. On the other hand, a driving gear (not shown) for transmitting the driving force of the transport motor M6 to the first discharge roller pair 53 includes a recording paper 18.
The first rotation of the pair of discharge rollers 5
3 incorporates a one-way clutch that allows.
Therefore, even if the transport motor M6 is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the second discharge roller pair 54 in the reverse direction, the first discharge roller pair 53 does not rotate in the reverse direction. Further, it is possible for the operator to pull out the recording paper 18 when the second discharge roller pair 54 rotates in the reverse direction.

The platen roller 25 and the discharge roller pair 53,
A guide member 55 that guides the conveyance of the recording paper 18 during the paper discharging process is provided between the recording medium 18 and the recording medium 18. Below the guide member 55, the recording paper 1 is provided when a printing operation is performed.
8 is formed.

In the illustrated thermal transfer recording apparatus 10,
When reproducing a color image on the recording paper 18, first, the recording paper 18 is fed from the paper feed tray 14 and transported forward, and the recording paper 18 is stored in the storage space 56. Next, from this state, a yellow image is formed while the recording paper 18 is returned and conveyed. That is, the return printing method is used. After transferring the yellow image while returning and transporting the recording paper 18, the recording paper 18 is transported forward to prepare for reproducing the next magenta image. In this way, a color image is formed on the recording paper 18 by transferring, for example, three color images in an overlapping manner by the frame sequential method. The thermal head 26 comes into pressure contact with the platen roller 25 only during return transport, and when the recording paper 18 is transported forward, the thermal head 26 is separated from the platen roller 25. When the return conveyance and the forward conveyance are repeated for printing, the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 51 always keep the recording paper 18 nipped.

Under the guide member 55, the recording paper 18 conveyed by the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 51 is transferred to the paper discharge section 22 or the storage space 56 where the discharge roller pairs 53 and 54 are provided. A swing guide 58 made of a flexible material is provided so as to be swingable about a support shaft 57 in order to selectively guide the swing guide 58 to one of them. When the swing guide 58 is swung to the upper position, the recording paper 18 conveyed by the grip roller 50 or the like is stored in the storage space 56. On the other hand, when the swing guide 58 swings clockwise from the upper position to the lower position about the support shaft 57, the recording paper 18 is conveyed toward the paper discharge unit 22.

In order to improve the print quality, it is necessary to prevent the recording paper 18 from being caught between the discharge roller pairs 53 and 54 at the time of printing. If the storage space 56 is formed at a position below the transport path to the paper section 22, the platen roller 25
And the distance between the discharge roller pair 53 and 54 can be reduced, and the floor area of the apparatus 10 can be reduced.

A cutter unit 23 as a paper cutting unit is provided between the first discharge roller pair 53 and the second discharge roller pair 54. The cutter unit 23 has a rotary cutter 60 and a receiving table 61 that cuts the recording paper 18 in cooperation with the cutter 60. The cut swarf falls by its own weight into a garbage bin 24 disposed below the cutter unit 23 and is collected. As described above, the trash box 24 is provided with the recording device 1 in order to prevent access from the hole formed when the trash box 103 is removed to the cutter unit 23.
0 is provided at a position as low as possible. A hole or a concave portion (not shown) functioning as a handle is provided on the front surface of the trash box 24, and the operator puts a finger on the handle, pulls out the trash box 24 from the housing 11, and removes chips accumulated in the trash box 24. Is removed.

The cutter unit 23 is provided with a leading edge detection sensor SE for detecting the leading edge of the recording paper. The leading edge detection sensor SE issues an ON signal when the leading edge of the recording paper 18 is detected. A pulse for driving the transport motor M6 is managed with reference to a point in time when the leading edge detection sensor SE detects the leading edge of the recording paper 18, and a leading edge cut for cutting the recording paper 18 by a predetermined length from the leading edge of the recording paper; A trailing edge cut for cutting the recording paper 18 by a predetermined length from the edge is performed. As the sensor SE, a reflection type photo sensor can be exemplified, but it is not limited to this case, and may be constituted by a transmission type photo sensor.

<< Configuration of Window Member 70 and Recess 71 >> FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion where a trash box and a paper discharge tray are arranged, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the trash box. FIG. 1C and FIG. 1C are perspective views showing an example of the window member, and FIG. 1D is a perspective view showing another example of the window member.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the housing 11
A concave portion 71 is provided on the front surface of the housing 11 by bending a part of the housing 11 inward. The recess 71 is provided with an opening 71a having an L-shaped cross section.
A window member 70 having an L-shaped cross section is attached to a. The amount of the recess 71 and the size of the opening 71a are set so that θ in the drawing is approximately 50 ° in accordance with the line of sight of the worker. By doing so, the line of sight is changed to the code “8”.
As shown by “1”, the trash can 2
4 inside can be seen over the whole area. Note that reference numeral “80” in FIG. 3A indicates a recording paper passing path.

The window member 70 is, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a plate member 72 formed of a transparent member such as an acrylic resin. The window member 70 may be configured by providing a plurality of slits 74 in a non-transparent plate member 73 as shown in FIG. In this case, since the window member 70 is close to the cutter unit 23, the size of the slit 74 is set to a size that does not allow a finger to enter.

Since the garbage can 24 is viewed obliquely from above, there is a case where the amount of the chips can be confirmed, but the amount of the swarf is not known or difficult to understand. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, a waterline mark 75 indicated by oblique lines is provided at the upper end of the inner surface of the trash can 24. Instead of the water line mark 75, the inner wall surface 1 against which the trash can 24 is abutted
An arrow mark 76 as shown in FIG. 1B may be added to 1a (see FIG. 1A). These marks 7
5, 76 makes it easier to determine how much room remains before the recycle bin 24 is full of chips.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 of the present embodiment,
In order to discharge long recording paper and minimize the installation area, a fulcrum 17 for mounting a discharge tray 17 is provided above the recycle bin 24, and the discharge tray 17 is installed obliquely. is there. For this reason, during printing,
The transparent front part of the trash box 24 is hidden by the paper discharge tray 17. However, only with the extremely simple configuration of providing the window member 70 and the recess 71 as described above, it is long that "the amount of chips in the trash can 24 can be easily visually checked during use of the apparatus". Recording paper 18
The most important items when reproducing and discharging an image were satisfied.

When the discharge tray 17 is closed,
Since the transparent front part of the trash box 24 faces the outside, the amount of chips can be easily visually confirmed through this front part.

Therefore, regardless of whether the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 is in use or stopped, there is no problem that the amount of chips is not known until the chips accumulate in the trash box 24 so as to overflow.

<< Operation of Tip Cutting >> The operation of tip cutting will be described. When all-color printing or overcoat printing is completed, the pressure contact of the thermal head 26 with the platen roller 25 is released, and the swing guide 58 swings to the lower position. The recording paper 18 conveyed forward by the grip roller 50 is guided toward the paper discharge unit 22. The transport motor M6 is also rotated at a predetermined timing, and the recording paper 18 is transported forward by the second discharge roller pair 54. When the leading edge detection sensor S2 detects the leading edge of the recording paper 18, the grip roller drive motor M5 and the transport motor M6 are stopped.

Next, the conveying motor M 6 is driven by the number of pulses corresponding to a predetermined length from the leading end of the recording paper, and the recording paper 18 is sent toward the cutter unit 23 by the second discharge roller pair 54. When the conveyance of the recording paper 18 is stopped, the rotary cutter 60 and the cradle 61 cooperate with each other to
Is cut by a predetermined length from its tip. The cut chips fall into the trash box 24 due to their own weight and are collected.

<< Operation of Rear End Cutting >> The operation of rear end cutting will be described. When the leading edge cut is completed, the transport motor M6 is driven by the number of pulses corresponding to the predetermined length, and the recording paper 18 is driven by the first discharge roller pair 53 and the second discharge roller pair 54.
Is transported. Thereafter, the rotary cutter 60 is operated, and the recording paper 18 is cut at the rear end by a predetermined length from the rear end.

At the time when the rear end cutting is completed, the recording paper 18 which is a product reproducing the color image is held by the first discharge roller pair 53, and the unnecessary cut chips are held by the second discharge roller pair 54. It is in the state as it was. Therefore, first, the transport motor M6 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction by a predetermined number of pulses, and the second discharge roller pair 54 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, so that the chips are transported back to the printing unit 20. Thus, the chips fall away from the second discharge roller pair 54 and are collected in the trash box 24. Even if the transport motor M6 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the first discharge roller pair 53 does not reversely rotate due to the action of the one-way clutch, and the recording paper 18 remains sandwiched between the first discharge roller pair 53. I have. The operator can pull out the recording paper 18 from the first discharge roller pair 53 even if the transport motor M6 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction.

When the chip collection is completed, the transport motor M6
Is driven forward by a predetermined number of pulses, and the recording paper 18 is conveyed by the first discharge roller pair 53 and is discharged from the discharge tray 17.
Is discharged over

Chips accumulate in the trash box 24 in accordance with the cutting operation of the leading and trailing ends of the recording paper 18, but even during operation of the apparatus, the entire inside of the trash box 24 is passed from above the paper discharge tray 17 through the window member 70. It is easy to visually check the overlook and the amount of chips.

[0055]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the paper discharge tray is opened, the amount of chips can be visually checked through the window member from above the paper discharge tray to look inside the trash can. When the tray is closed, the amount of swarf can be visually checked through the transparent surface of the trash can, and there is no problem that the amount of swarf is not known until the swarf is accumulated in the trash can. Even if the output tray is placed above the recycle bin, the amount of chips in the recycle bin can be easily visually checked while the device is in use, so long recording can be performed while reducing the installation area of the device. Images can be reproduced on paper and discharged.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the window member is provided in the recess, the inside of the trash can can be seen over the entire area from above the discharge tray, and the amount of chips can be visually checked. Can be performed more accurately and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are external perspective views showing a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A shows a state in which a discharge tray is closed, and FIG. Indicates a state where the discharge tray is opened.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal configuration of the thermal transfer recording apparatus in a state where an ink film cassette is loaded.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion where a trash box and a paper discharge tray are arranged, FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the trash box, and FIG. FIG. 4D is a perspective view showing an example of a member, and FIG. 4D is a perspective view showing another example of the window member.

FIG. 4A is an external perspective view showing a conventional recording apparatus having a function of cutting unnecessary portions of a recording sheet after image reproduction, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion where a trash box and a paper discharge tray of the recording apparatus shown are arranged.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Housing (exterior) 23 ... Cutter unit as a paper cutting part 24 ... Recycle bin 17 ... Discharge tray 70 ... Window member 71 ... Depressed part 72 ... Transparent plate member 73 ... Non-transparent plate member 74 ... Slit 75 ... Waterline mark 76 … Arrow mark

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 13, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2

FIG.

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus having a function of cutting an unnecessary portion of a recording sheet after reproducing an image, wherein the trash box is configured to store cut chips and at least a surface facing the outside is formed of a transparent member. A discharge tray that is openably and closably disposed above the recycle bin, and a window member for viewing the inside of the recycle bin from above the open discharge tray. Recording device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the window member is disposed in a recess provided on the exterior according to a line of sight.
The recording device according to claim 1.