US20060181020A1 - Medium discharging mechanism and image forming apparatus that employs the medium discharging mechanism - Google Patents
Medium discharging mechanism and image forming apparatus that employs the medium discharging mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060181020A1 US20060181020A1 US11/302,691 US30269105A US2006181020A1 US 20060181020 A1 US20060181020 A1 US 20060181020A1 US 30269105 A US30269105 A US 30269105A US 2006181020 A1 US2006181020 A1 US 2006181020A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- roller
- discharging mechanism
- medium
- mechanism according
- resiliently deformable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H27/00—Special constructions, e.g. surface features, of feed or guide rollers for webs
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
- B65H29/20—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by contact with rotating friction members, e.g. rollers, brushes, or cylinders
- B65H29/22—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by contact with rotating friction members, e.g. rollers, brushes, or cylinders and introducing into a pile
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/11—Details of cross-section or profile
- B65H2404/112—Means for varying cross-section
- B65H2404/1122—Means for varying cross-section for rendering elastically deformable
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/13—Details of longitudinal profile
- B65H2404/131—Details of longitudinal profile shape
- B65H2404/1316—Details of longitudinal profile shape stepped or grooved
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/14—Roller pairs
- B65H2404/143—Roller pairs driving roller and idler roller arrangement
- B65H2404/1431—Roller pairs driving roller and idler roller arrangement idler roller details
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/18—Rollers composed of several layers
- B65H2404/185—Rollers composed of several layers easy deformable
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a medium-discharging mechanism and an image-forming apparatus that employs the medium-discharging mechanism.
- a conventional image-forming apparatus such as a printer, copying machine, facsimile machine, and plotter is provided with a medium-discharging mechanism for discharging a printed medium.
- the medium-discharging mechanism includes a discharge roller and a pressure roller in pressure contact with the discharge roller. When the discharge roller is rotated in one direction, the pressure roller is driven to rotate in an opposite direction to the discharge roller such that the printed medium is pulled in therebetween. The printed medium is held between the discharge roller and pressure roller in a sandwiched relation, and is advanced to a stacker.
- a vane-like member is disposed at both longitudinal ends of the pressure roller.
- the vane-like member is formed of a soft material such as rubber or sponge. The vane-like member rotates together with the pressure roller to advance the medium toward stacker.
- the vane-like member rotates continuously to hit the medium periodically irrespective of the position of the medium relative to the pressure roller. This gives rise to not only annoying noise but also wear-out of and damage to the vane-like member, thereby decreasing durability of the medium-discharging mechanism.
- a driven gear is provided to a shaft that supports the vane-like member.
- a drive gear is provided which rotates in mesh with the driven gear on the shaft to drive the vane-like member in rotation.
- the drive gear is not in mesh with the driven gear.
- the drive gear moves into a meshing engagement with the driven gear to drive the vane-like member into rotation.
- the drive gear is in mesh with the driven gear only after the medium has passed the nip.
- An object of the invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a medium-discharging mechanism and image-forming apparatus that do not emit annoying noise, improves durability of the medium-discharging mechanism, and is suitable for miniaturizing the device, and reducing the manufacturing cost.
- a medium discharging mechanism includes a first roller, a second roller, and a resilient member.
- the second roller is in pressure contact with the first roller to form a nip between the first roller and the second roller.
- the resilient member is formed of a resiliently deformable material and is rotatable about a rotating shaft of one of the second roller.
- the resilient member has a larger diameter than the second roller.
- the resiliently deformable member deforms is in the shape of a ring fitted in an annular groove formed in a circumferential surface of the second roller.
- the resiliently deformable member deforms at a nip formed between the first roller and the second roller.
- the resiliently deformable member deforms at the nip such that a surface of the resilient ring is flush with the nip.
- the resiliently deformable member is made of a high friction material.
- the resiliently deformable member includes projections and recesses aligned alternately on a circumferential surface of the resiliently deformable member.
- the resiliently deformable member has projections and recesses on its circumferential outer surface such that the projections and recesses form a wavy surface.
- the resiliently deformable member is mounted outside of an area in which the first roller and the second roller are in contact with each other.
- the resiliently deformable member is one of at least two resiliently deformable members mounted on longitudinal end portions of the second roller.
- the second roller is one of a plurality of second rollers that rotate about the rotating shaft, wherein the resiliently deformable member is disposed such that the resiliently deformable member is sandwiched between adjacent second rollers.
- the medium discharging mechanism further includes a weight that is freely rotatable on the rotating shaft and hangs down from the rotating shaft. When the medium is pulled in between the first roller and the second roller, the leading end of the medium pushes the weight out of the way so that the weight presses on a surface of the medium until a trailing end of the medium leaves the nip.
- the first roller and second roller form a nip between them such that the nip lies in a plane at an angle with a transport path in which the medium advances toward the nip.
- the first roller and the second roller are positioned so that the first roller is on one side of the transport path and the second roller is on the other side of the transport path, the first roller being upstream of the second roller.
- An image forming apparatus incorporates the aforementioned medium discharging mechanism.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printer according to a first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a medium discharging mechanism according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a front view of a pertinent portion of the medium discharging mechanism according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the medium discharging mechanism
- FIG. 4B is a side view of a pertinent portion of the medium discharging mechanism
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller
- FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the medium discharging mechanism
- FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of a medium discharging mechanism according to a second embodiment
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller according to a third embodiment
- FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a medium discharging mechanism according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller according to a fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a front view of a pertinent portion of a medium discharging mechanism according to the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a medium-discharging mechanism according to a fifth embodiment
- FIG. 13 is a side view of a medium-discharging mechanism according to the fifth embodiment before the paper is pulled in between the discharge roller and the pressure roller;
- FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the positional relation between paper and a weight member.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the positional relation between the paper and the weight member.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printer according to a first embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a medium-discharging mechanism according to the first embodiment.
- a printer 11 includes image forming sections 12 BK, 12 Y, 12 M, and 12 C for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan images, respectively.
- Each of the image-forming sections includes a photoconductive drum 13 that bears an image on it.
- the image-forming section further includes a charging roller 14 that charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 13 , a developing unit 16 , and a cleaning unit 18 , which are disposed to surround the photoconductive drum 13 .
- An LED head 15 is disposed over the photoconductive drum 13 .
- a transfer unit is disposed under the photoconductive drum 13 .
- the transfer unit includes a transport belt 19 that runs in a direction in which the image-forming sections are aligned, a drive roller 21 that drives the transport belt 19 to run, a driven roller 22 that is driven in rotation when a drive roller 21 , and a transfer roller 17 that opposes the photoconductive drum 13 with the medium sandwiched between the transfer roller 17 and photoconductive drum 13 .
- the charging roller 14 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 13 .
- the LED head 15 illuminates the charged surface of the photoconductive drum 13 to form an electrostatic latent image in accordance with printed data.
- the developing unit holds toner therein and supplies the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum 13 , thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.
- Paper 20 is fed from a paper-feeding mechanism 23 and is then attracted to the transport belt 19 .
- the transport belt 19 attracts the paper 20 , and advances through the image-forming sections 12 BK, 12 Y, 12 M, and 12 C such that toner images of the respective colors are transferred onto the paper 20 in registration, thereby forming a full color toner image.
- a paper-feeding mechanism 23 is located at an upstream end in a direction of travel of the paper 20 (i.e., to the right of the driven roller 22 ).
- a paper cassette 24 holds a stack of the paper 20 .
- a feed roller 25 separates the top page of the stack of the paper 20 and feeds the top page onto a transport path for the paper 20 .
- a sensor 26 detects the passage of the paper 20 .
- a transport roller 27 opposes the driven roller 22 such that the transport belt 19 is sandwiched between the transport roller 27 and the driven roller 22 .
- a fixing unit 28 is disposed to the left of the drive roller 21 (i.e., downstream side in a direction of travel of the paper 20 ).
- the fixing unit 28 includes a heat roller 29 , and a pressure roller 30 in pressure contact with the heat roller 29 , and fuses the toner image into a permanent color image.
- a medium-discharging mechanism is disposed at a downstream of the fixing unit 28 .
- the medium-discharging mechanism includes a frame 37 , three discharge rollers 31 , three pressure rollers 32 , a resilient ring 36 A, and a stacker 50 .
- the discharge roller 31 is rotatably supported on the frame 37 .
- the pressure roller 32 is also rotatably supported on the frame 37 , and is in pressure contact with the discharge roller 31 .
- the resilient ring 36 A is resiliently deformable and is mounted to the pressure roller 32 and pushes the paper 20 toward the stacker 50 .
- the shaft 31 a of the discharge rollers 31 is rotatably supported on the frame 37 , and extends through three discharge rollers 31 so that the discharge rollers rotate at three separate locations on the shaft 31 a .
- a discharge guide 38 is formed at a downstream end portion of the frame 37 .
- the three pressure rollers 32 are rotatably supported on the discharge guide 38 and are disposed to oppose the three discharge rollers 31 .
- the shaft 31 a has a gear 40 mounted at its one end portion.
- the gear 40 is coupled to a motor gear, not shown, mounted on an output shaft of a motor 49 through idle gears 41 - 47 .
- the motor 49 rotates, the shaft 31 a is rotated.
- the discharge rollers 31 and pressure rollers 32 of the medium-discharging mechanism will be described.
- FIG. 3 is a front view of a pertinent portion of the medium-discharging mechanism according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure roller 32 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the medium-discharging mechanism.
- the discharge roller 31 is formed of a resilient material such as silicone rubber, or EPDM rubber.
- the pressure roller 32 is molded from a resin and has a cylindrical inner space. The discharge roller 31 and pressure roller 32 are in pressure contact with each other to form a nip therebetween.
- the shaft 33 is supported on the discharge guide 38 and extends through the pressure rollers 32 so that the pressure rollers 32 are free to rotate on the shaft 33 .
- FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the medium-discharging mechanism.
- FIG. 4B is a side view of a pertinent portion of the medium-discharging mechanism.
- the discharge guide 38 includes a spring assembly 35 mounted to a supporting member, not shown.
- the spring assembly 35 includes supports 35 a and 35 b that support the shaft 33 , and flat springs 35 c and 35 d that urge the pressure rollers 32 against the discharge rollers 31 .
- the pressure roller 32 is formed with a circumferential groove 32 a at a laterally centered position.
- the resilient ring 36 A is detachably received in the groove 32 a , so that the resilient ring 36 A is in coaxial alignment with a shaft of the pressure roller 32 .
- the resilient ring 36 A is generally ring-shaped and is made of a soft resiliently deformable material such as urethane foam.
- the resilient ring 36 A has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottom of the groove 32 a and has a larger outer diameter than the pressure roller 32 .
- the resilient ring 36 A is assembled to fit into the groove 32 a of the pressure roller 32 , so that the outer surface of the resilient ring 36 A projects radially outwardly from the groove 32 a . Shortly after the paper 20 leaves the nip formed between the discharge roller 31 and pressure roller 32 , the outer surface of the resilient ring 36 A pushes the rear end of the paper 20 to advance the paper 20 toward the stacker 50 .
- the discharge roller 31 and pressure roller 32 are in pressure contact with each other to form a nip between them.
- the outwardly projecting portion of the resilient ring 36 A is pushed back or collapsed so that the outer surface of the resilient ring 36 A is flush with the nip area. Therefore, the resilient ring 36 A is not obstacle in advancing the paper 20 through the nip.
- the paper 20 is fed in a direction B tangent to a circumferential surface of the discharge roller 31 at which the nip is formed.
- the discharge roller 31 and pressure roller 32 oppose to each other so that the discharge roller 31 is on one side of the transport path 37 of the paper 20 and the pressure roller 32 is on the other side of the transport path 37 and the discharge roller 31 is slightly upstream of the pressure roller 32 .
- the nip lies in a plane at an angle with a direction B in which the paper 20 is advanced.
- the printer 11 When the printer 11 ( FIG. 1 ) receives print data from a host apparatus such as a host computer or a controller, not shown, extracts image data for the respective colors, and feeds the image data to the corresponding image-forming sections. For example, image data for black is sent to the LED head 15 of the image-forming section 12 BK. The LED head 15 illuminates the surface of the photoconductive drum 13 , charged by the charging roller 14 , thereby forming an electrostatic latent image for black on the photoconductive drum 13 . Then, the developing unit 16 develops the electrostatic latent image for black into a black toner image.
- a host apparatus such as a host computer or a controller
- the paper 20 is fed by the feed roller 25 and is detected by the sensor 26 .
- the transport belt 19 transports the paper 20 in timed relation with the image formation performed at the image forming section 12 BK.
- the transfer roller 17 transfers the black toner image from the photoconductive drum 13 onto the paper 20 .
- the transport belt 19 further advances, with the paper 20 attracted to it, to the image forming section 12 Y for yellow image.
- the LED head 15 illuminates the surface of the photoconductive drum 13 Y charged by the charging roller 14 , thereby forming an electrostatic latent image for yellow on the photoconductive drum 13 Y.
- the developing unit 16 develops the electrostatic latent image for yellow into a yellow toner image.
- the transfer roller 17 transfers the yellow toner image from the photoconductive drum 13 Y onto the paper 20 .
- toner images of magenta and cyan are formed in the image forming sections 12 M and 12 C, respectively.
- the developing units 16 develop the electrostatic latent images for magenta and cyan into magenta and cyan toner images, respectively.
- the transfer rollers 17 transfer the magenta and cyan toner images from the photoconductive drums 13 M and 13 C, respectively, onto the paper 20 in sequence.
- the motor 49 ( FIG. 2 ) drives the discharge roller 31 in a forward direction and the pressure roller 32 in the opposite direction to the discharge roller 31 .
- the resilient ring 36 A is driven to rotate in the same direction as the pressure roller 32 .
- the resilient ring 36 A is pushed back at all times by the discharge roller 31 to ensure that the paper 20 enters the nip between the discharge roller and the pressure roller 32 .
- the resilient ring 36 A regains its original shape after it has passed through the nip.
- the resilient ring 36 A is a resiliently, deformable body and has a high friction resistance on its surface. The high friction resistance is advantageous in pushing the rear end of the paper 20 .
- the combination of the resilient ring 36 A with the pressure roller 32 prevents the paper 20 from being hit periodically by a surrounding mechanical member so that no annoying noise is produced.
- the resilient ring 36 A is in contact with the discharge roller 31 at all times, so that the resilient ring 36 A will not wear out or be damaged. This ensures the durability of the discharge roller 31 .
- the resilient ring 36 A is rotated continuously during the medium discharging operation.
- the continuous rotation of the resilient ring 31 eliminates the need for a gear(s) of a special shape, and therefore reduces the number of components, implements the small overall size of the printer 11 , and reduces the manufacturing cost of the printer.
- the resilient ring 36 A has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the groove 32 a , which allows the resilient ring 36 A to be securely mounted on and dismounted from the pressure roller 32 . This facilitates replacement of the resilient ring 36 A.
- FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of a medium-discharging mechanism according to a second embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller of the medium-discharging mechanism.
- a resilient ring 36 B according to the second embodiment has projections and recesses on its circumferential outer surface such that the projections and recesses form a wavy surface.
- the elements similar to those of the first embodiment have been given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.
- the resilient ring 36 B is formed of a resiliently deformable material such as urethane foam and has projections alternating with recesses to form a wave-shaped outer surface in a circumferential direction of the resilient ring 36 B.
- the resilient ring 36 B is resiliently pushed back or collapsed, and then regains its original shape when it appears at the exit side of the nip, i.e., a downstream side of the nip with respect to the direction in which the paper 20 is transported.
- the projections and recesses that form a wave along the outer surface of the resilient ring 36 B improve the ability of the resilient ring 36 B to push the rear end of the paper 20 .
- the pressure roller 32 is formed with a groove 32 a ( FIG. 5 ) therein to which the resilient ring 36 A or 36 B is fitted.
- a third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that the pressure roller 32 is divided into two roller segments and a resilient disc 36 C is assembled between the roller segments. Elements similar to those in the first and second embodiments have been given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted.
- FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a medium-discharging mechanism according to the third embodiment.
- a pressure roller 32 includes a roller segment 32 a and a roller segment 32 b .
- the resilient disc 36 C is resiliently deformable and is sandwiched between the roller segments 32 a and 32 b .
- a shaft 33 extends through the roller segments 32 a and 32 b .
- the third embodiment eliminates the need for making a groove in the shaft 33 , and thus provides an easy-to-make mechanism.
- the discharge roller 31 and pressure roller 32 are in pressure contact with each other to form a nip between them.
- the outwardly projecting portion of the resilient disc 36 C is pushed back or collapsed so that the outer surface of the resilient disc 36 C is flush with the nip area. Therefore, the resilient disc 36 C is not obstacle in advancing the paper 20 through the nip.
- FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller according to a fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a front view of a pertinent portion of a medium discharging mechanism according to the fourth embodiment. Elements similar to those in the first and second embodiments have been given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.
- a pressure roller 52 has a larger length than a discharge roller 31 , and laterally centered with respect to the discharge roller 31 such that the longitudinal end portions of the pressure roller 52 extend further than the discharge roller 31 .
- the pressure roller 52 is formed with grooves 52 a and 52 b such that the discharge roller 31 is between the grooves 52 a and 52 b .
- Resilient rings 53 a and 53 b fit into the grooves 52 a and 52 b , respectively.
- the resilient rings 53 a and 53 b are generally ring-shaped and are made of a soft resilient material such as urethane foam.
- the resilient rings 53 a and 53 b have an inner diameter larger than that of the bottoms of the grooves 52 a and 52 b , and an outer diameter than that of the pressure roller 52 .
- the resilient rings 53 a and 53 b are not in contact with the discharge roller 31 , the resilient rings 53 a and 53 b are not pushed back at all times and therefore maintains their original shape.
- the paper 20 is pulled in between the discharge roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 , and is advanced to a stacker. Shortly after the rear end of the paper 20 leaves the nip between the discharge roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 , the resilient rings 53 a and 53 b push the rear end of the paper 20 to the stacker. This completes a medium discharging operation.
- the resilient rings 53 a and 53 b project radially outwardly of the circumferential surface of the pressure roller 52 , and causes the paper 20 to flex slightly. This makes the paper 20 slightly rigid in its entirety and is advantageous in transporting the paper 20 in a stable manner.
- the resilient rings 36 A- 36 C, 53 a , 53 b may also be assembled to the discharge roller 31 or to both discharge roller 31 and pressure roller 32 .
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a medium-discharging mechanism according to a fifth embodiment.
- three discharge rollers 31 are mounted at three separated locations on a shaft 31 a .
- Three pressure rollers 32 are in pressure contact with corresponding discharge rollers 31 .
- a weight member 39 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 31 a between adjacent discharge rollers 31 , and hangs downward due to its own weight, and rests on a shaft 32 c of the pressure rollers 32 ( FIG. 13 ).
- the paper 20 advances in a direction shown by arrow A.
- FIG. 13 is a side view of a medium-discharging mechanism according to a fifth embodiment before the paper 20 is pulled in between the discharge roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 .
- FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the positional relation between the paper 20 and the weight member 39 .
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the positional relation between the paper 20 and the weight member 39 when the trailing end of the paper 20 leaves the medium discharging mechanism.
- the weight 39 When the trailing end of the paper 20 leaves the medium discharging mechanism, the weight 39 is resting on the surface of the paper 20 such that the weight 39 exerts its own weight on the paper 20 in a direction shown by arrow C.
- the weight 39 presses the trailing end portion of the paper 20 on the resilient rings, allowing the resilient ring 36 A to push reliably without idle rotation.
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Abstract
A medium discharging mechanism includes a first roller, a second roller, and a resiliently deformable member. The second roller is in pressure contact with the first roller to form a nip between the first roller and the second roller. The resiliently deformable member is formed of a resiliently deformable material and is rotatable about a rotating shaft of one of the second roller. The resilient member has a larger diameter than the second roller. The resilient member deforms at the nip such that a surface of the resilient ring is flush with the nip.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a medium-discharging mechanism and an image-forming apparatus that employs the medium-discharging mechanism.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- A conventional image-forming apparatus such as a printer, copying machine, facsimile machine, and plotter is provided with a medium-discharging mechanism for discharging a printed medium. The medium-discharging mechanism includes a discharge roller and a pressure roller in pressure contact with the discharge roller. When the discharge roller is rotated in one direction, the pressure roller is driven to rotate in an opposite direction to the discharge roller such that the printed medium is pulled in therebetween. The printed medium is held between the discharge roller and pressure roller in a sandwiched relation, and is advanced to a stacker.
- Once a rear end of the medium has passed through a nip formed between the discharge roller and pressure roller, the discharge roller and pressure roller no longer cause the medium to advance. Thus, the rear end of the medium tends to remain on the pressure roller, blocking the discharging path of the medium. When the rear end of the medium blocks the discharging path, the preceding page of the medium is pushed by the following page to drop from the stacker or resulting in a paper jam.
- In order to solve this problem, a vane-like member is disposed at both longitudinal ends of the pressure roller. The vane-like member is formed of a soft material such as rubber or sponge. The vane-like member rotates together with the pressure roller to advance the medium toward stacker.
- The vane-like member rotates continuously to hit the medium periodically irrespective of the position of the medium relative to the pressure roller. This gives rise to not only annoying noise but also wear-out of and damage to the vane-like member, thereby decreasing durability of the medium-discharging mechanism.
- One conventional medium-discharging mechanism is constructed as follows: A driven gear is provided to a shaft that supports the vane-like member. A drive gear is provided which rotates in mesh with the driven gear on the shaft to drive the vane-like member in rotation. When the medium is being transported through the nip between the pressure roller and the discharge roller, the drive gear is not in mesh with the driven gear. After the rear end of the medium has passed the nip, the drive gear moves into a meshing engagement with the driven gear to drive the vane-like member into rotation. In other words, the drive gear is in mesh with the driven gear only after the medium has passed the nip.
- With the aforementioned conventional medium-discharging mechanism, the vane-like member is rotated intermittently. This requires gears to have special shapes, increasing the number of components and complexity of the medium-discharging mechanism. The resulting image-forming apparatus is of large overall size and highly costly.
- An object of the invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a medium-discharging mechanism and image-forming apparatus that do not emit annoying noise, improves durability of the medium-discharging mechanism, and is suitable for miniaturizing the device, and reducing the manufacturing cost.
- A medium discharging mechanism includes a first roller, a second roller, and a resilient member. The second roller is in pressure contact with the first roller to form a nip between the first roller and the second roller. The resilient member is formed of a resiliently deformable material and is rotatable about a rotating shaft of one of the second roller. The resilient member has a larger diameter than the second roller.
- The resiliently deformable member deforms is in the shape of a ring fitted in an annular groove formed in a circumferential surface of the second roller.
- The resiliently deformable member deforms at a nip formed between the first roller and the second roller.
- The resiliently deformable member deforms at the nip such that a surface of the resilient ring is flush with the nip.
- The resiliently deformable member is made of a high friction material.
- The resiliently deformable member includes projections and recesses aligned alternately on a circumferential surface of the resiliently deformable member.
- The resiliently deformable member has projections and recesses on its circumferential outer surface such that the projections and recesses form a wavy surface.
- The resiliently deformable member is mounted outside of an area in which the first roller and the second roller are in contact with each other.
- The resiliently deformable member is one of at least two resiliently deformable members mounted on longitudinal end portions of the second roller.
- The second roller is one of a plurality of second rollers that rotate about the rotating shaft, wherein the resiliently deformable member is disposed such that the resiliently deformable member is sandwiched between adjacent second rollers.
- The medium discharging mechanism further includes a weight that is freely rotatable on the rotating shaft and hangs down from the rotating shaft. When the medium is pulled in between the first roller and the second roller, the leading end of the medium pushes the weight out of the way so that the weight presses on a surface of the medium until a trailing end of the medium leaves the nip.
- The first roller and second roller form a nip between them such that the nip lies in a plane at an angle with a transport path in which the medium advances toward the nip.
- The first roller and the second roller are positioned so that the first roller is on one side of the transport path and the second roller is on the other side of the transport path, the first roller being upstream of the second roller.
- An image forming apparatus incorporates the aforementioned medium discharging mechanism.
- Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
- The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limiting the present invention, and wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printer according to a first embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a medium discharging mechanism according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 3 is a front view of a pertinent portion of the medium discharging mechanism according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the medium discharging mechanism; -
FIG. 4B is a side view of a pertinent portion of the medium discharging mechanism; -
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller; -
FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the medium discharging mechanism; -
FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of a medium discharging mechanism according to a second embodiment; -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller according to a third embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a medium discharging mechanism according to the third embodiment; -
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller according to a fourth embodiment; and -
FIG. 11 is a front view of a pertinent portion of a medium discharging mechanism according to the fourth embodiment; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a medium-discharging mechanism according to a fifth embodiment; -
FIG. 13 is a side view of a medium-discharging mechanism according to the fifth embodiment before the paper is pulled in between the discharge roller and the pressure roller; -
FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the positional relation between paper and a weight member; and -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the positional relation between the paper and the weight member. - The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image forming apparatus according to the invention will be described in terms of a printer.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printer according to a first embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a medium-discharging mechanism according to the first embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , aprinter 11 includes image forming sections 12BK, 12Y, 12M, and 12C for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan images, respectively. Each of the image-forming sections includes aphotoconductive drum 13 that bears an image on it. The image-forming section further includes a chargingroller 14 that charges the surface of thephotoconductive drum 13, a developingunit 16, and acleaning unit 18, which are disposed to surround thephotoconductive drum 13. - An
LED head 15 is disposed over thephotoconductive drum 13. A transfer unit is disposed under thephotoconductive drum 13. The transfer unit includes atransport belt 19 that runs in a direction in which the image-forming sections are aligned, adrive roller 21 that drives thetransport belt 19 to run, a drivenroller 22 that is driven in rotation when adrive roller 21, and atransfer roller 17 that opposes thephotoconductive drum 13 with the medium sandwiched between thetransfer roller 17 andphotoconductive drum 13. - The charging
roller 14 uniformly charges the surface of thephotoconductive drum 13. TheLED head 15 illuminates the charged surface of thephotoconductive drum 13 to form an electrostatic latent image in accordance with printed data. The developing unit holds toner therein and supplies the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on thephotoconductive drum 13, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. -
Paper 20 is fed from a paper-feedingmechanism 23 and is then attracted to thetransport belt 19. Thetransport belt 19 attracts thepaper 20, and advances through the image-forming sections 12BK, 12Y, 12M, and 12C such that toner images of the respective colors are transferred onto thepaper 20 in registration, thereby forming a full color toner image. - A paper-feeding
mechanism 23 is located at an upstream end in a direction of travel of the paper 20 (i.e., to the right of the driven roller 22). Apaper cassette 24 holds a stack of thepaper 20. Afeed roller 25 separates the top page of the stack of thepaper 20 and feeds the top page onto a transport path for thepaper 20. Asensor 26 detects the passage of thepaper 20. Atransport roller 27 opposes the drivenroller 22 such that thetransport belt 19 is sandwiched between thetransport roller 27 and the drivenroller 22. - A fixing
unit 28 is disposed to the left of the drive roller 21 (i.e., downstream side in a direction of travel of the paper 20). The fixingunit 28 includes aheat roller 29, and apressure roller 30 in pressure contact with theheat roller 29, and fuses the toner image into a permanent color image. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , a medium-discharging mechanism is disposed at a downstream of the fixingunit 28. The medium-discharging mechanism includes aframe 37, threedischarge rollers 31, threepressure rollers 32, aresilient ring 36A, and astacker 50. Thedischarge roller 31 is rotatably supported on theframe 37. Thepressure roller 32 is also rotatably supported on theframe 37, and is in pressure contact with thedischarge roller 31. Theresilient ring 36A is resiliently deformable and is mounted to thepressure roller 32 and pushes thepaper 20 toward thestacker 50. - The
shaft 31 a of thedischarge rollers 31 is rotatably supported on theframe 37, and extends through threedischarge rollers 31 so that the discharge rollers rotate at three separate locations on theshaft 31 a. Adischarge guide 38 is formed at a downstream end portion of theframe 37. The threepressure rollers 32 are rotatably supported on thedischarge guide 38 and are disposed to oppose the threedischarge rollers 31. - The
shaft 31 a has agear 40 mounted at its one end portion. Thegear 40 is coupled to a motor gear, not shown, mounted on an output shaft of amotor 49 through idle gears 41-47. When themotor 49 rotates, theshaft 31 a is rotated. - The
discharge rollers 31 andpressure rollers 32 of the medium-discharging mechanism will be described. -
FIG. 3 is a front view of a pertinent portion of the medium-discharging mechanism according to the first embodiment.FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of thepressure roller 32.FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the medium-discharging mechanism. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , thedischarge roller 31 is formed of a resilient material such as silicone rubber, or EPDM rubber. Thepressure roller 32 is molded from a resin and has a cylindrical inner space. Thedischarge roller 31 andpressure roller 32 are in pressure contact with each other to form a nip therebetween. Theshaft 33 is supported on thedischarge guide 38 and extends through thepressure rollers 32 so that thepressure rollers 32 are free to rotate on theshaft 33. -
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the medium-discharging mechanism.FIG. 4B is a side view of a pertinent portion of the medium-discharging mechanism. - The
discharge guide 38 includes aspring assembly 35 mounted to a supporting member, not shown. Thespring assembly 35 includessupports shaft 33, andflat springs pressure rollers 32 against thedischarge rollers 31. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , thepressure roller 32 is formed with acircumferential groove 32 a at a laterally centered position. Theresilient ring 36A is detachably received in thegroove 32 a, so that theresilient ring 36A is in coaxial alignment with a shaft of thepressure roller 32. Theresilient ring 36A is generally ring-shaped and is made of a soft resiliently deformable material such as urethane foam. Theresilient ring 36A has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottom of thegroove 32 a and has a larger outer diameter than thepressure roller 32. Theresilient ring 36A is assembled to fit into thegroove 32 a of thepressure roller 32, so that the outer surface of theresilient ring 36A projects radially outwardly from thegroove 32 a. Shortly after thepaper 20 leaves the nip formed between thedischarge roller 31 andpressure roller 32, the outer surface of theresilient ring 36A pushes the rear end of thepaper 20 to advance thepaper 20 toward thestacker 50. - The
discharge roller 31 andpressure roller 32 are in pressure contact with each other to form a nip between them. The outwardly projecting portion of theresilient ring 36A is pushed back or collapsed so that the outer surface of theresilient ring 36A is flush with the nip area. Therefore, theresilient ring 36A is not obstacle in advancing thepaper 20 through the nip. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , in order to ensure that thepaper 20 enters a nip formed between thedischarge roller 31 and theresilient ring 36A without difficulty, thepaper 20 is fed in a direction B tangent to a circumferential surface of thedischarge roller 31 at which the nip is formed. Thedischarge roller 31 andpressure roller 32 oppose to each other so that thedischarge roller 31 is on one side of thetransport path 37 of thepaper 20 and thepressure roller 32 is on the other side of thetransport path 37 and thedischarge roller 31 is slightly upstream of thepressure roller 32. Thus, the nip lies in a plane at an angle with a direction B in which thepaper 20 is advanced. - The operation of the medium-discharge mechanism of the aforementioned configuration will be described.
- When the printer 11 (
FIG. 1 ) receives print data from a host apparatus such as a host computer or a controller, not shown, extracts image data for the respective colors, and feeds the image data to the corresponding image-forming sections. For example, image data for black is sent to theLED head 15 of the image-forming section 12BK. TheLED head 15 illuminates the surface of thephotoconductive drum 13, charged by the chargingroller 14, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image for black on thephotoconductive drum 13. Then, the developingunit 16 develops the electrostatic latent image for black into a black toner image. - The
paper 20 is fed by thefeed roller 25 and is detected by thesensor 26. Thetransport belt 19 transports thepaper 20 in timed relation with the image formation performed at the image forming section 12BK. Thetransfer roller 17 transfers the black toner image from thephotoconductive drum 13 onto thepaper 20. - The
transport belt 19 further advances, with thepaper 20 attracted to it, to theimage forming section 12Y for yellow image. TheLED head 15 illuminates the surface of the photoconductive drum 13Y charged by the chargingroller 14, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image for yellow on the photoconductive drum 13Y. Then, the developingunit 16 develops the electrostatic latent image for yellow into a yellow toner image. Thetransfer roller 17 transfers the yellow toner image from the photoconductive drum 13Y onto thepaper 20. - Likewise, toner images of magenta and cyan are formed in the
image forming sections units 16 develop the electrostatic latent images for magenta and cyan into magenta and cyan toner images, respectively. Then, thetransfer rollers 17 transfer the magenta and cyan toner images from the photoconductive drums 13M and 13C, respectively, onto thepaper 20 in sequence. - When a printing operation is initiated, the motor 49 (
FIG. 2 ) drives thedischarge roller 31 in a forward direction and thepressure roller 32 in the opposite direction to thedischarge roller 31. At the same time, theresilient ring 36A is driven to rotate in the same direction as thepressure roller 32. - At this moment, as shown in
FIG. 6 , theresilient ring 36A is pushed back at all times by thedischarge roller 31 to ensure that thepaper 20 enters the nip between the discharge roller and thepressure roller 32. Theresilient ring 36A regains its original shape after it has passed through the nip. - Thus, when the rear end of the
paper 20 advances past the nip by thedischarge roller 31 and thepressure roller 32, theresilient ring 36A moves into contact engagement with the rear end portion of thepaper 20, and then pushes the rear end of thepaper 20 onto thestacker 50. This completes a medium discharging operation. Theresilient ring 36A is a resiliently, deformable body and has a high friction resistance on its surface. The high friction resistance is advantageous in pushing the rear end of thepaper 20. - In the embodiment, the combination of the
resilient ring 36A with thepressure roller 32 prevents thepaper 20 from being hit periodically by a surrounding mechanical member so that no annoying noise is produced. Theresilient ring 36A is in contact with thedischarge roller 31 at all times, so that theresilient ring 36A will not wear out or be damaged. This ensures the durability of thedischarge roller 31. - The
resilient ring 36A is rotated continuously during the medium discharging operation. The continuous rotation of theresilient ring 31 eliminates the need for a gear(s) of a special shape, and therefore reduces the number of components, implements the small overall size of theprinter 11, and reduces the manufacturing cost of the printer. - The
resilient ring 36A has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of thegroove 32 a, which allows theresilient ring 36A to be securely mounted on and dismounted from thepressure roller 32. This facilitates replacement of theresilient ring 36A. - Because the
resilient ring 36A is pushed back at the nip between theresilient ring 36A anddischarge roller 31, even when thepaper 20 has a small thickness, no load is exerted on thepaper 20 so that thepaper 20 may be advanced smoothly. -
FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of a medium-discharging mechanism according to a second embodiment. -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller of the medium-discharging mechanism. - A
resilient ring 36B according to the second embodiment has projections and recesses on its circumferential outer surface such that the projections and recesses form a wavy surface. The elements similar to those of the first embodiment have been given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , theresilient ring 36B is formed of a resiliently deformable material such as urethane foam and has projections alternating with recesses to form a wave-shaped outer surface in a circumferential direction of theresilient ring 36B. When the outer surface of theresilient ring 36B enters the nip between thedischarge roller 31 and theresilient ring 36B, theresilient ring 36B is resiliently pushed back or collapsed, and then regains its original shape when it appears at the exit side of the nip, i.e., a downstream side of the nip with respect to the direction in which thepaper 20 is transported. - The projections and recesses that form a wave along the outer surface of the
resilient ring 36B improve the ability of theresilient ring 36B to push the rear end of thepaper 20. - In the first and second embodiments, the
pressure roller 32 is formed with agroove 32 a (FIG. 5 ) therein to which theresilient ring pressure roller 32 is divided into two roller segments and aresilient disc 36C is assembled between the roller segments. Elements similar to those in the first and second embodiments have been given the same reference numerals and the description is omitted. -
FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a medium-discharging mechanism according to the third embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , apressure roller 32 includes aroller segment 32 a and aroller segment 32 b. Theresilient disc 36C is resiliently deformable and is sandwiched between theroller segments shaft 33 extends through theroller segments shaft 33, and thus provides an easy-to-make mechanism. - The
discharge roller 31 andpressure roller 32 are in pressure contact with each other to form a nip between them. The outwardly projecting portion of theresilient disc 36C is pushed back or collapsed so that the outer surface of theresilient disc 36C is flush with the nip area. Therefore, theresilient disc 36C is not obstacle in advancing thepaper 20 through the nip. -
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure roller according to a fourth embodiment.FIG. 11 is a front view of a pertinent portion of a medium discharging mechanism according to the fourth embodiment. Elements similar to those in the first and second embodiments have been given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , apressure roller 52 has a larger length than adischarge roller 31, and laterally centered with respect to thedischarge roller 31 such that the longitudinal end portions of thepressure roller 52 extend further than thedischarge roller 31. Thepressure roller 52 is formed withgrooves discharge roller 31 is between thegrooves grooves grooves pressure roller 52. - Because the
resilient rings discharge roller 31, theresilient rings - The
paper 20 is pulled in between thedischarge roller 31 and thepressure roller 32, and is advanced to a stacker. Shortly after the rear end of thepaper 20 leaves the nip between thedischarge roller 31 and thepressure roller 32, theresilient rings paper 20 to the stacker. This completes a medium discharging operation. - The resilient rings 53 a and 53 b project radially outwardly of the circumferential surface of the
pressure roller 52, and causes thepaper 20 to flex slightly. This makes thepaper 20 slightly rigid in its entirety and is advantageous in transporting thepaper 20 in a stable manner. - While the first to fourth embodiments have been described in terms of the
resilient rings 36A-36C, 53 a, 53 b assembled to thepressure rollers discharge roller 31 or to bothdischarge roller 31 andpressure roller 32. - When the trailing end of
paper 20 leaves a medium discharging mechanism, the trailing end tends to be raised from the resilient rings of the first to fourth embodiments. If thepaper 20 is soft, then the paper is attracted to astacker 50 by the Coulomb force. Therefore, the resilient rings alone cannot apply a force to thepaper 20 to push thepaper 20 away from a medium-discharging mechanism. -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a medium-discharging mechanism according to a fifth embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , threedischarge rollers 31 are mounted at three separated locations on ashaft 31 a. Threepressure rollers 32 are in pressure contact withcorresponding discharge rollers 31. Aweight member 39 is rotatably mounted on theshaft 31 a betweenadjacent discharge rollers 31, and hangs downward due to its own weight, and rests on ashaft 32 c of the pressure rollers 32 (FIG. 13 ). Thepaper 20 advances in a direction shown by arrow A. -
FIG. 13 is a side view of a medium-discharging mechanism according to a fifth embodiment before thepaper 20 is pulled in between thedischarge roller 31 and thepressure roller 32. - When the
paper 20 advances in the A direction, the leading end of thepaper 20 pushes theweight member 39 and causes theweight member 39 to pivot in a direction shown by arrow B against the weight of theweight member 39. -
FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the positional relation between thepaper 20 and theweight member 39. -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the positional relation between thepaper 20 and theweight member 39 when the trailing end of thepaper 20 leaves the medium discharging mechanism. - When the trailing end of the
paper 20 leaves the medium discharging mechanism, theweight 39 is resting on the surface of thepaper 20 such that theweight 39 exerts its own weight on thepaper 20 in a direction shown by arrow C. Theweight 39 presses the trailing end portion of thepaper 20 on the resilient rings, allowing theresilient ring 36A to push reliably without idle rotation. - The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (17)
1. A medium-discharging mechanism comprising:
a first roller;
a second roller in pressure contact with said first roller such that a medium is pulled in between said first roller and said second roller;
a resiliently deformable member rotatable about a rotating shaft of said second roller, said resiliently deformable member having a larger outer diameter than said second roller.
2. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said resiliently deformable member deforms is in the shape of a ring fitted in an annular groove formed in a circumferential surface of said second roller.
3. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein said resiliently deformable member deforms at a nip formed between said first roller and the second roller.
4. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein said resiliently deformable member deforms such that a surface of the resilient ring is flush with the nip.
5. An image forming apparatus incorporating said medium discharging mechanism according to claim 2 .
6. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said resiliently deformable member is made of a high friction material.
7. An image forming apparatus incorporating said medium discharging mechanism according to claim 6 .
8. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said resiliently deformable member includes projections and recesses aligned alternately on a circumferential surface of said resiliently deformable member.
9. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said resiliently deformable member has projections and recesses on its circumferential outer surface such that the projections and recesses form a wavy surface.
10. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said resiliently deformable member is mounted outside of an area in which said first roller and said second roller are in contact with each other.
11. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said resiliently deformable member is one of at least two resiliently deformable members mounted on longitudinal end portions of said second roller.
12. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said second roller is one of a plurality of second rollers that rotate about the rotating shaft (32 a), wherein said resiliently deformable member is disposed such that said resiliently deformable member is sandwiched between adjacent second rollers.
13. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 12 , further comprising a weight member that is freely rotatable on the rotating shaft and hangs down from the rotating shaft,
wherein when the medium is pulled in between said first roller and said second roller, the leading end of the medium pushes the weight member out of the way so that the weight member presses a surface of the medium until a trailing end of the medium leaves the nip.
14. An image forming apparatus incorporating said medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 .
15. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said first roller and second roller form a nip between them such that the nip lies in a plane at an angle with a transport path in which the medium advances toward the nip.
16. The medium discharging mechanism according to claim 15 , wherein said first roller and said second roller are positioned so that said first roller is on one side of the transport path and said second roller is on the other side of the transport path, the first roller being upstream of said second roller with respect to the transport path.
17. An image forming apparatus incorporating said medium discharging mechanism according to claim 15.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/539,214 US20090295084A1 (en) | 2004-12-17 | 2009-08-11 | Medium discharging mechanism and image forming apparatus that employs the medium discharging mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2004-366352 | 2004-12-17 | ||
JP2004366352A JP2006168955A (en) | 2004-12-17 | 2004-12-17 | Medium delivery mechanism and image forming apparatus |
Related Child Applications (1)
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US12/539,214 Division US20090295084A1 (en) | 2004-12-17 | 2009-08-11 | Medium discharging mechanism and image forming apparatus that employs the medium discharging mechanism |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20060181020A1 true US20060181020A1 (en) | 2006-08-17 |
Family
ID=36670106
Family Applications (2)
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US11/302,691 Abandoned US20060181020A1 (en) | 2004-12-17 | 2005-12-14 | Medium discharging mechanism and image forming apparatus that employs the medium discharging mechanism |
US12/539,214 Abandoned US20090295084A1 (en) | 2004-12-17 | 2009-08-11 | Medium discharging mechanism and image forming apparatus that employs the medium discharging mechanism |
Family Applications After (1)
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US12/539,214 Abandoned US20090295084A1 (en) | 2004-12-17 | 2009-08-11 | Medium discharging mechanism and image forming apparatus that employs the medium discharging mechanism |
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US (2) | US20060181020A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006168955A (en) |
Cited By (4)
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US20080150229A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2008-06-26 | Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated | Transport for printing systems |
US20130075969A1 (en) * | 2011-09-28 | 2013-03-28 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Paper discharge tray for aligning sheets |
CN105247578A (en) * | 2013-06-12 | 2016-01-13 | 冲电气工业株式会社 | Medium protection device and medium separation/collection device |
US20160060065A1 (en) * | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-03 | Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. | Sheet discharging device and image forming apparatus therewith |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP2012091894A (en) * | 2010-10-25 | 2012-05-17 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Discharge mechanism and image-forming device |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP2006168955A (en) | 2006-06-29 |
US20090295084A1 (en) | 2009-12-03 |
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Owner name: OKI DATA CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NUMAO, HIROYUKI;REEL/FRAME:017123/0624 Effective date: 20051209 |
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