US20190023510A1 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190023510A1 US20190023510A1 US15/879,519 US201815879519A US2019023510A1 US 20190023510 A1 US20190023510 A1 US 20190023510A1 US 201815879519 A US201815879519 A US 201815879519A US 2019023510 A1 US2019023510 A1 US 2019023510A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- packaging member
- wall
- feeding cassette
- height
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/06—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by rollers or balls, e.g. between rollers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/04—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles substantially horizontally, e.g. for separation from top of pile
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/08—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/26—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with auxiliary supports to facilitate introduction or renewal of the pile
- B65H1/266—Support fully or partially removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette, drawer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
- B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
- B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
- B65H7/04—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to absence of articles, e.g. exhaustion of pile
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
- B65H7/20—Controlling associated apparatus
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
- B65H2405/11—Parts and details thereof
- B65H2405/113—Front, i.e. portion adjacent to the feeding / delivering side
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/30—Other features of supports for sheets
- B65H2405/31—Supports for sheets fully removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette
- B65H2405/311—Supports for sheets fully removable from the handling machine, e.g. cassette and serving also as package
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/40—Identification
- B65H2511/414—Identification of mode of operation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/50—Occurence
- B65H2511/515—Absence
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2551/00—Means for control to be used by operator; User interfaces
- B65H2551/20—Display means; Information output means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/18—Form of handled article or web
- B65H2701/182—Piled package
- B65H2701/1822—Juxtaposed stacks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
- B65H2801/06—Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers
Definitions
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus.
- a paper feeding device for an image forming apparatus in which a paper bundle and a packaging member thereof are accommodated together is known.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates a paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the paper feeding unit, which is taken along line F 3 -F 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view which illustrates a packaging member.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view which illustrates a paper bundle and the packaging member.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and inside the packaging member.
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view which illustrates the paper bundle within the packaging member placed in the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and within the packaging member placed in the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and within the packaging member supported by the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view which illustrates the paper bundle within the packaging member supported by the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram of hardware components of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is a flowchart which illustrates an example of a processing flow of a control unit according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 13 is a front view which illustrates a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit according to a second embodiment.
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view which illustrates a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit according to a third embodiment.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 16 is a front view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 17 is a top view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment.
- an image forming apparatus which includes a housing, a sheet feeding cassette inserted into the housing along a first direction so as to be removable from the housing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a pickup roller that is positioned above and on a sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and rotatable to pick up a sheet that is in contact therewith from the sheet feeding cassette and convey the sheet in a third direction that crosses the first and second directions.
- the sheet feeding cassette includes a sheet tray on which a sheet bundle and a packaging member for the sheet bundle are to be accommodated, first and second guides spaced apart in the first and second directions and between which the sheet bundle and the packaging member are to be accommodated, the first and second guides extending in the third direction to support lateral sides of the sheet bundle and the packaging member, and a first wall on the sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and a third guide spaced apart from the first wall in the third direction to support the sheet bundle and the packaging member from a trailing edge side thereof, wherein a height of the first wall is lower than a height of each of the first, second, and third guides.
- an “upper part” and a “lower part” related to a paper bundle B and a packaging member P respectively mean the “upper part” and the “lower part” based on a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in a paper feeding cassette 41 of the image forming apparatus 1 .
- a “sheet transport direction X” means a direction which is an approximately horizontal direction, and in which a sheet S is transported from a pickup roller 47 toward a paper feeding roller 49 , which described later.
- a “Y direction” means a direction which is an approximately horizontal direction, and intersects the sheet transport direction X, and is approximately orthogonal.
- a “height direction Z” means an approximately vertical direction.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
- the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP).
- MFP multifunction peripheral
- the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the above described example, and may be a copy machine, a printer, or the like.
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 11 , a scanning unit 12 , a paper feeding unit 13 , a printing unit 14 , a paper discharge unit 15 , a user interface 16 , a control unit 17 , and a storage unit 18 .
- the housing 11 forms an exterior of the image forming apparatus 1 .
- the housing 11 accommodates the scanning unit 12 the paper feeding unit 13 , the printing unit 14 , the control unit 17 , and the storage unit 18 .
- the scanning unit 12 reads an image of the original document as digital data.
- the paper feeding unit 13 the sheet S is supplied toward a transport path 24 which will be explained later.
- the printing unit 14 forms an image on the sheet S based on image data subjected to an image formation process.
- the paper discharge unit 15 discharges the sheet S on which an image is formed by the printing unit 14 .
- the user interface 16 informs a user of various information, and receives inputs of various operating instructions.
- the control unit 17 controls each functional components in the image forming apparatus 1 .
- the control unit 17 controls operations of the scanning unit 12 , the paper feeding unit 13 , the printing unit 14 , the user interface 16 , and the storage unit 18 .
- the storage unit 18 stores various information.
- the printing unit 14 of an intermediate transfer type will be described as an example. However, any type of image forming method can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a direct transfer type printing unit.
- the printing unit 14 includes an intermediate transfer unit (also referred to as a primary transfer unit) 21 , a secondary transfer unit 22 , a fixing unit 23 , and the transport path 24 .
- the intermediate transfer unit 21 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31 , a plurality of rollers 32 a, 32 b , 32 c, and 32 d, and a plurality of image forming units 33 Y, 33 M, 33 C, and 33 K.
- the intermediate transfer belt 31 is an endless belt.
- the plurality of rollers 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d contact an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 to support the intermediate transfer belt 31 .
- the intermediate transfer belt 31 can perform endless travelling in a direction of an arrow m shown in FIG. 1 .
- the image forming unit 33 Y is for yellow color; the image forming unit 33 M is for magenta color; the image forming unit 33 C is for cyan color; and the image forming unit 33 K is for black color.
- Each of the plurality of image forming units 33 Y, 33 M, 33 C, and 33 K includes a photoconductive drum 33 a, a charging charger 33 b, an exposure unit 33 c, a developer 33 d , and a transfer roller 33 e respectively.
- Each of the image forming units 33 Y, 33 M, 33 C, and 33 K transfers a toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 33 a onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 (i.e., primary transfer).
- the secondary transfer unit 22 includes a transfer roller 22 a.
- the transfer roller 22 a comes into contact with the outer face of the intermediate transfer belt 31 .
- One belt roller 32 a which supports the intermediate transfer belt 31 from the inside thereof is also an element of the secondary transfer unit 22 .
- the belt roller 32 a and the transfer roller 22 a sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 31 therebetween.
- the sheet S is interposed between the transfer roller 22 a and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 such that the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S.
- the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred onto the sheet S and this operation is referred to as “secondary transfer.”
- the fixing unit 23 includes a heating roller 23 a, and a press roller 23 b.
- the fixing unit 23 heats and presses the sheet S passing through a nip portion formed between the heating roller 23 a and the press roller 23 b. In this manner, the toner image transferred onto the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S.
- the transport path 24 extends over the paper feeding unit 13 , the secondary transfer unit 22 , the fixing unit 23 and the paper discharge unit 15 .
- the sheet S is transported from the paper feeding unit 13 to the paper discharge unit 15 through the transport path 24 which passes through the secondary transfer unit 22 and the fixing unit 23 .
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper feeding unit 13 .
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view which is taken along line F 3 -F 3 of the paper feeding unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 2 in a case where the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding unit 13 .
- the paper feeding unit 13 is a paper feeding cassette 41 (more generally referred to as “a sheet feeding cassette”) that includes an end guide 42 , a first side guide 43 a, a second side guide 43 b, a sheet lifting mechanism 44 , a cassette sensor 45 (refer to FIG. 1 ), an empty sensor 46 , the pickup roller 47 , a pickup roller driving mechanism 48 (refer to FIG.
- the paper feeding unit 13 is an example of an “accommodating unit”.
- the paper feeding cassette 41 includes a base wall 41 a, a first wall 41 b, a second wall 41 c , a third wall 41 d, and a fourth wall 41 e.
- the first wall 41 b , the second wall 41 c, the third wall 41 d, and the fourth wall 41 e stand erect in the height direction Z from the peripheral end portion of the base wall 41 a.
- the paper feeding cassette 41 is formed in a box shape of which the upper part is open.
- the first wall 41 b and the second wall 41 c are approximately parallel to each other.
- the first wall 41 b and the second wall 41 c extend in the Y direction which is the horizontal direction, and intersects (more particularly, approximately orthogonal) the sheet transport direction X.
- the first wall 41 b and the second wall 41 c extend so that a width thereof in the Y direction is larger than a width of the paper bundle B, which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 , in the Y direction.
- the first wall 41 b is located on the downstream side (that is, transport side of sheet S) in the sheet transport direction X with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the second wall 41 c is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 . That is, the second wall 41 c is located on the opposite side of the first wall 41 b with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- Each of the third wall 41 d and the fourth wall 41 e stretches to the first wall 41 b and the second wall 41 c along the sheet transport direction X.
- the fourth wall 41 e is located on the opposite side of the third wall 41 d with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the paper feeding cassette 41 is attached to the housing 11 so as to be drawn out.
- the third wall 41 d includes a drawer portion 41 g at which a handle 41 f is provided. A user can draw out the paper feeding cassette 41 from the housing 11 by putting a finger into the handle 41 f and pulling out the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated together in the paper feeding cassette 41 . That is, the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 together with the packaging member P in a state in which at least a part thereof is packaged by the packaging member P.
- the packaging member P is, for example, packing paper.
- the packaging member P may be of other materials.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view which illustrates the packaging member P in the embodiment.
- FIG. 4 illustrates the packaging member P which is not yet opened.
- the packaging member P includes an upstream side end portion el and which is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X, and a downstream side end portion e 2 which is located on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X, when the packaging member P is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the packaging member P includes a top face portion Pa, a lower face portion Pb, a first side face portion Pc, a second side face portion Pd, a third side face portion Pe, and a fourth side face portion Pf which the packaging member P is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the top face portion Pa is located on the pickup roller 47 side, which will be described later, when the packaging member P is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the lower face portion Pb is located on the opposite side of the top face portion Pa.
- Each of the first side face portion Pc, the second side face portion Pd, the third side face portion Pe, and the fourth side face portion Pf extends to the top face portion Pa and the lower face portion Pb.
- the first side face portion Pc is located on the upstream side end portion el of the packaging member P.
- the second side face portion Pd is located on the downstream side end portion e 2 of the packaging member P.
- Each of the third side face portion Pe and the fourth side face portion Pf extends to the first side face portion Pc and the second side face portion Pd along the sheet transport direction X.
- the fourth side face portion Pf is located on the opposite side of the third side face portion Pe.
- the packaging member P includes a cutting guide line 61 .
- the cutting guide line 61 is a perforation which is provided in the packaging member P.
- the cutting guide line 61 is provided in the downstream side end portion e 2 of the packaging member P.
- the cutting guide line 61 is continuously provided in the top face portion Pa, the lower face portion Pb, the third side face portion Pe, and the fourth side face portion Pf of the packaging member P. That is, the cutting guide line 61 is provided over the circumference of the packaging member P.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 5 illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P in a state where opening portion PO (illustrated in FIG. 4 ) is removed by being separated from a remaining portion PR of the packaging member P along the cutting guide line 61 .
- opening portion PO illustrated in FIG. 4
- the packaging member P causes the paper bundle B to be exposed to the outside of the packaging member P, on the downstream side end portion e 2 of the packaging member P.
- the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed from the remaining portion PR of the packaging member P, such that the sheet S included in the paper bundle B can be taken out by the pickup roller 47 , and a lever of the empty sensor 46 which will be described later, transmission of light, or the like are not interfered with.
- a recess portion 62 is formed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, when the packaging member P is removed along the cutting guide line 61 .
- the position of the recess portion 62 corresponds to the position of the pickup roller 47 in X-Y plane direction which will be described later. In this manner, when the pickup roller 47 is moved toward the paper bundle B, the pickup roller 47 can come into contact with the upper surface of the uppermost sheet in the paper bundle B directly without being hindered by the packaging member P.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P.
- the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 in a state in which the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed, and a part of the sheets S included in the paper bundle B is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, and is placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P.
- a predetermined amount of sheets S for example, approximately fifty sheets
- an amount of sheet S which is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P is an amount which is obtained when a transport force of a member for taking out the sheet exceeds a frictional force between the sheets S, or a frictional force between the sheet S and the packaging member P.
- the end guide 42 is an example of a “guide”.
- the end guide 42 stands up in the height direction Z from the base wall 41 a in the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the end guide 42 extends along the Y direction.
- the end guide 42 is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X, which is the opposite side of the first wall 41 b, with respect to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the end guide 42 stands up along the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the end guide 42 supports upstream side end portion of the paper bundle B and the first side face portion Pc of the packaging member P.
- the end guide 42 can be movable in the sheet transport direction X along the base wall 41 a.
- the end guide 42 is located between the first side guide 43 a and the second side guide 43 b in the Y direction.
- the first side guide 43 a is another example of the “guide”.
- the first side guide 43 a stands up from the base wall 41 a in the height direction Z in the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the first side guide 43 a extends along the sheet transport direction X.
- the first side guide 43 a is located between the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 , and the third wall 41 d of the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the first side guide 43 a stands up alongside the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the first side guide 43 a supports a first side end portion of the paper bundle B and the packaging member P (corresponding to fourth side face portion Pf of packaging member P) in the Y direction.
- the first side guide 43 a is located between the end guide 42 and the first wall 41 b in the sheet transport direction X.
- the first side guide 43 a can move in the Y direction along the base wall 41 a.
- the second side guide 43 b is still another example of the “guide”.
- the second side guide 43 b stands up from the base wall 41 a in the height direction Z, in the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the second side guide 43 b extends along the sheet transport direction X.
- the second side guide 43 b is located between the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 and the fourth wall 41 e of the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the second side guide 43 b is located on aside opposite to the first side guide 43 a with respect to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the second side guide 43 b stands up alongside the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the second side guide 43 b supports a second side end portion of the paper bundle B and the packaging member P (corresponding to third side face portion Pe of packaging member P) in the Y direction. In this manner, a position of the paper bundle B in the Y direction is regulated between the first side guide 43 a and the second side guide 43 b.
- the second side guide 43 b is located between the end guide 42 and the first wall 41 b in the sheet transport direction X. The second side guide 43 b can move in the Y direction along the base wall 41 a.
- the paper bundle B is supported between the end guide 42 and the first wall 41 b in the sheet transport direction X, and is supported between the first side guide 43 a and the second side guide 43 b in the Y direction. That is, the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 so as to come into contact with the end guide 42 , the first wall 41 b, the first side guide 43 a, and the second side guide 43 b.
- the paper bundle B and the packaging member P can be stably supported, mainly by the end guide 42 , the first side guide 43 a, and the second side guide 43 b.
- the first side guide 43 a and the second side guide 43 b function as the guide of the sheet S which is transported.
- the sheet lifting mechanism 44 includes a sheet tray 44 a , a lifting lever 44 b, and a driving connecting shaft 44 c.
- the sheet tray 44 a supports the paper bundle B and the packaging member P from the bottom.
- the lifting lever 44 b is connected to the sheet tray 44 a and the driving connecting shaft 44 c .
- the lifting lever 44 b lifts the sheet tray 44 a in an inclining manner, so that a downstream side end portion of the paper bundle B in the sheet transport direction X moves upward as shown in FIG. 3 , when the driving connecting shaft 44 c is rotated by a driving source which is not illustrated (for example, motor).
- FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views which illustrate an example of a part of the paper feeding unit 13 .
- a height of the first wall 41 b of the paper feeding cassette 41 is lower than that of the end guide 42 , the first side guide 43 a, and the second side guide 43 b.
- a height of one member is lower than a height of the other member means that a position of a higher end portion of one member in the height direction Z is lower than a position of a higher end portion of the other member in the height direction Z, when comparing the positions of the higher ends of both members in the height direction Z with each other.
- the entire height of the first wall 41 b is set to be lower than that of the end guide 42 , the first side guide 43 a, and the second side guide 43 b; however, only a part of the first wall 41 b may be set to be low.
- a width of a portion of the first wall 41 b of which a height is set to be low in the Y direction is larger than a width of the paper bundle B in the Y direction so that a user can take out the sheet S from the packaging member P, as will be described later.
- the height of the first wall 41 b is lower than a height of an uppermost sheet S in the paper bundle B by a height d, in a state in which the sheet lifting mechanism 44 does not lift the paper bundle B, and in a state in which the paper bundle B is unused.
- the “unused state” means a state in which even one sheet S has not yet been drawn out from the paper bundle B (regardless of whether or not opening portion PO is removed).
- a height d corresponds to a thickness of several sheets (for example, approximately fifty sheets).
- the first wall 41 b has a height which can support remaining bundle of sheets S of the paper bundle B from the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X, after the predetermined amount of sheets S, which was included in the paper bundle B, is pulled out from the packaging member P.
- the height of the first wall 41 b is lower than the height of the second wall 41 c, the third wall 41 d, and the fourth wall 41 e (refer to FIG. 2 ).
- the height of the entire first wall 41 b is set to be lower than the height of the second wall 41 c, the third wall 41 d, and the fourth wall 41 e; however, only a part of the first wall 41 b may be set to be low.
- the height of the end guide 42 , the first side guide 43 a, and the second side guide 43 b is higher than the height at which the top sheet S of the paper bundle B is located in a state in which the sheet lifting mechanism 44 does not lift the paper bundle B in an unused state.
- the height of the second wall 41 c, the third wall 41 d, and the fourth wall 41 e is higher than a height at which the top sheet S included in the paper bundle B is located.
- FIG. 7 illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed, but the work of taking out a part of sheets S from the inside of the packaging member P, and placing the sheet on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, which is described above, is not performed.
- a user can place a part of the sheets S in the paper bundle B on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P by taking out the sheets from the inside of the packaging member P along the sheet transport direction X (arrow A in FIG. 7 ), without holding up or taking out the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 from the paper feeding cassette 41 , because the first wall 41 b is set to be lower than the guides 42 , 43 a, and 43 b (refer to FIG. 8 ).
- a user takes out pieces of sheets S corresponding to a thickness of the height d or less from the packaging member P, and places the sheets on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P.
- the height of the first wall 41 b is set so that the height d corresponds to an appropriate amount of the sheet S, in order to show a user a standard amount of the sheet S which is appropriate to be placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P.
- the height d may be 5 mm to 10 mm. In this manner, it is possible to show the user the standard amount of the sheet S to be drawn out.
- the height of the first wall 41 b may be freely set, and it is not essential to set the height d to fall in the above described range.
- one or more of the end guide 42 , the first side guide 43 a, and the second side guide 43 b may be omitted, and replaced with elements in the second wall 41 c, the third wall 41 d, and the fourth wall 41 e that function so as to support the paper bundle B and the packaging member P.
- a cassette sensor 45 is provided in the housing 11 .
- the cassette sensor 45 detects that the paper feeding cassette 41 is pulled out from the housing 11 .
- the cassette sensor 45 is a contact sensor which comes into contact with the paper feeding cassette 41 in a state where the paper feeding cassette 41 is fully inserted into the housing 11 .
- the cassette sensor 45 sends a detection result thereof to the control unit 17 .
- the empty sensor 46 detects that the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the empty sensor 46 is a contact sensor which detects the paper bundle B when the lever comes into contact with the paper bundle B, in a case in which the paper bundle B is held up by the sheet tray 44 a.
- the empty sensor 46 is not limited to the above described example.
- the empty sensor 46 may be an optical sensor including a light receiving unit and a light projecting unit, or a sensor of a type other than that. The empty sensor 46 sends a detection result thereof to the control unit 17 .
- the pickup roller 47 is located above the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the pickup roller 47 comes into contact with the uppermost sheet S of the sheet bundle, which is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P and is placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P.
- the pickup roller 47 is driven by a pickup roller driving motor 52 (refer to FIG. 11 ).
- the pickup roller 47 sends the sheet S included in the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 to the paper feeding roller 49 .
- the pickup roller 47 is an example of a “roller which draws out the sheet S from the paper feeding cassette 41 ”.
- a pickup roller driving mechanism 48 causes the pickup roller 47 to retreat to the upper side when the paper feeding cassette 41 is pulled out from the housing 11 . Meanwhile, the pickup roller driving mechanism 48 puts down the pickup roller 47 toward the top sheet S, when the paper feeding cassette 41 is closed with respect to the housing 11 .
- the paper feeding roller 49 and the separating roller 50 are located on the downstream side of the paper feeding cassette 41 in the sheet transport direction X. Each of the paper feeding roller 49 and the separating roller 50 is driven by a driving source which is not illustrated, (for example, motor).
- the paper feeding roller 49 sends the sheet S which is sent from the paper feeding cassette 41 using the pickup roller 47 to the transport path 24 .
- the separating roller 50 returns the sheet S underneath the other to the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 is provided on the downstream side of the pickup roller 47 in the sheet transport direction X.
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 is provided between the pickup roller 47 and the paper feeding roller 49 in the sheet transport direction X.
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 detects a passage of the sheet S which is drawn out by the pickup roller 47 .
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 includes a light projecting unit which radiates light downward, and a light receiving unit which detects reflected light of the light projecting unit.
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 is not limited to the above described example.
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 may be a contact sensor which detects a passage of the sheet S by being in contact with the sheet S which is transported by the pickup roller 47 .
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 sends a detection result thereof to the control unit 17 .
- FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views of the paper feeding unit 13 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates a case in which the sheet S is normally sent by the pickup roller 47 .
- a part of sheets S in paper bundle B is placed on top face portion Pa of packaging member P.
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 detects the sheet S, when the sheet S passes under the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 .
- FIG. 10 illustrates a case in which the sheet S is not normally transported by the pickup roller 47 (case in which a part of sheets S included in paper bundle B is not placed on top face portion Pa of packaging member P).
- the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 does not detect a passage of the sheet S because the sheet S does not pass through the lower part of the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 .
- the user interface 16 includes a control panel 71 and a speaker 72 .
- the control panel 71 includes a display unit 71 a and an input receiving unit 71 b.
- the display unit 71 a includes a display screen D.
- the display screen D displays various information.
- the display screen D displays an operation related to the image forming apparatus 1 , and guidance of work with characters, an image, or video.
- the display screen D displays a guidance related to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P.
- the input receiving unit 71 b includes a plurality of buttons.
- the input receiving unit 71 b receives an input of various operation instructions.
- the speaker 72 outputs various information using sound.
- the speaker 72 outputs the operation related to the image forming apparatus 1 , and the guidance of a work using sound.
- the speaker 72 outputs guidance related to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P using sound.
- control unit 17 and the storage unit 18 will be described.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram of hardware components of the image forming apparatus 1 .
- control unit 17 is electrically connected to the scanning unit 12 , the paper feeding unit 13 , the printing unit 14 , the user interface 16 , and the storage unit 18 through an electric connecting path such as a cable.
- a part, or all of the control unit 17 is, for example, a software functional unit which is realized when a program or software component stored in a memory of the image forming apparatus 1 is executed by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).
- a part, or all of the control unit 17 may be implemented in hardware (circuit unit; circuitry) such as a large scale integration (LSI), an application specific integration circuit (ASIC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
- LSI large scale integration
- ASIC application specific integration circuit
- FPGA field-programmable gate array
- a part, or all of the control unit 17 may be implemented as a combination of the software functional unit and hardware. Processes of the control unit 17 will be described in detail in descriptions of a guide operation of the image forming apparatus 1 which is related to a paper feeding work.
- the storage unit 18 may be at least one of a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or the like. Contents of guidance which are displayed on the display screen D, contents of guidance which are output from the speaker 72 , and the like, are stored in the storage unit 18 .
- HDD hard disk drive
- flash memory an electrically erasable programmable read only memory
- ROM read only memory
- RAM random access memory
- the image forming apparatus 1 performs guidance related to the paper feeding operation with respect to a user who is going to perform the paper feeding operation.
- the guidance includes informing a user of guidance related to the paper bundle B and packaging member P (hereinafter, referred to as “guidance” simply) when the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the guidance provides information that it is necessary to place the plurality of sheets S included in the paper bundle B on the packaging member P by taking out the sheets S from the inside of the packaging member P.
- the above guidance includes information that at least a part of sheets S in the sheets S which are in the paper bundle B which is located above the upper end of the first wall 41 b need to be taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, information that it is not necessary to hold up the paper bundle B and the packaging member P from the paper feeding cassette 41 , and information that a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B can be drawn out along the sheet transport direction X, in a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the control unit 17 informs the user of the guidance through the user interface 16 .
- the control unit 17 displays the guidance on the display screen D of the display unit 71 a by operating the display unit 71 a.
- the control unit 17 outputs the guidance using sound from the speaker 72 , by operating the speaker 72 .
- FIG. 12 is a flowchart which illustrates an example of the processing flow of the control unit 17 .
- the control unit 17 detects that the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 , based on a detection result of the cassette sensor 45 , when the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 (ACT 11 ).
- the control unit 17 controls the user interface 16 so as to inform of guidance when it is detected that the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 (ACT 12 ). That is, the control unit 17 informs of the guidance by operating at least one of the display screen D and the speaker 72 .
- the control unit 17 detects that the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 based on the detection result of the empty sensor 46 , when the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 , and the paper feeding cassette 41 is inserted back into the housing 11 (ACT 13 ).
- the control unit 17 drives the pickup roller 47 when the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 (ACT 14 ).
- the sheet S fed by the pickup roller 47 passes under the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (refer to FIG. 9 ) after the pickup roller 47 is driven.
- the pickup roller 47 does not come into contact with the sheet S and draw out the sheet S and therefore the sheet S in the paper bundle B does not pass under the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (refer to FIG. 10 ), even after the pickup roller 47 is driven.
- control unit 17 determines whether or not a passage of the sheet S is detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 , after accommodating of the paper bundle B in the paper feeding cassette 41 is detected, and the pickup roller 47 is driven (ACT 15 ).
- control unit 17 determines that a part of sheet S in the paper bundle B is placed on the packaging member P by being taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, when a passage of the sheet S is detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (Yes in ACT 15 ). In this case, the control unit 17 controls the pickup roller 47 , the paper feeding roller 49 , and the separating roller 50 to transport the sheet S from the paper feeding unit 13 toward the printing unit 14 (ACT 16 ).
- the control unit 17 determines that the sheet S is not placed on the packaging member P when a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (No in ACT 15 ). In this case, the control unit 17 controls the user interface 16 so as to inform of the guidance again (ACT 17 ). That is, the control unit 17 informs of the guidance again, by operating at least one of the display screen D and the speaker 72 . In addition, when the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 again, the control unit 17 detects that the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 based on the detection result of the cassette sensor 45 (ACT 18 ). In addition, the control unit 17 performs ACT 13 again.
- a case in which a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 is a case in which there is no change in the detection result of the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 from a start of driving of the pickup roller 47 to a predetermined time which is set in advance.
- the image forming apparatus 1 with the guidance method of the paper feeding operation set forth above, it is possible to improve convenience. That is, according to the embodiment, a user can place a part of sheet S in the paper bundle B on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P by taking out the sheet from the inside of the packaging member P, without holding up or taking out the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 from the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the height of the first wall 41 b is lower than the height at which the top sheet S which is included in the paper bundle B, is located by the height d.
- the height d represents the amount of sheets S which is appropriate for being placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to show a user a standard height of the appropriate amount of the sheets S.
- the control unit 17 controls the user interface 16 so as to inform of guidance, when a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 , in a case in which accommodating of the paper bundle B in the paper feeding cassette 41 is detected by the empty sensor 46 , and the pickup roller 47 is driven.
- the sheet S when the sheet S is not transported, it is possible to inform a user of the guidance again, by detecting whether or not the sheet S can be transported. In this manner, it is possible to further increase the user's convenience.
- the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a notch portion 81 for a finger hook is provided at the upper part of the first wall 41 b.
- configurations other than that which will be described below are the same as those in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 13 is a plan view which illustrates a paper feeding unit 13 according to the second embodiment.
- the drawer portion 41 g is not illustrated.
- the rectangular notch portion 81 is provided on the upper part of the first wall 41 b of the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- a height of the first wall 41 b in the notch portion 81 is lower than a height of the first wall 41 b in other portions 82 of the first wall 41 b.
- the notch portion 81 is not limited to the above described example.
- a shape of the notch portion 81 can be any shape such as a triangle or a half circle.
- a plurality of the notch portions 81 may be provided.
- a width of the notch portion 81 in the Y direction is a width which faces only a part of the paper bundle B (for example, width into which one or two human fingers can be inserted).
- a depth of the notch portion 81 in the height direction Z is, for example, a depth into which one human finger can be inserted.
- the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the height of the first wall 41 b can be changed.
- configurations other than that in the following descriptions are the same as those in the second embodiment.
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view in which a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from the first wall 41 b side.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view in which a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from the second wall 41 c side.
- FIG. 16 is a front view in which a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from the first wall 41 b side.
- FIG. 17 is a top view in which a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from above.
- FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the drawer portion 41 g is not illustrated.
- the first wall 41 b includes a main body portion 91 , a movable member 92 , and a height adjusting standard member 93 .
- the third wall 41 d includes an end portion connected to the first wall 41 b.
- a first groove portion 94 is provided at the end portion.
- the fourth wall 41 e includes an end portion connected to the first wall 41 b.
- a first groove portion 95 is provided at the end portion.
- the first groove portions 94 and 95 hold both ends of the movable member 92 in the horizontal direction so as to slide in the height direction Z (refer to FIG. 17 ).
- the first groove portions 94 and 95 may be provided in the main body portion 91 , instead of the third wall 41 d and the fourth wall 41 e.
- the main body portion 91 is connected to the base wall 41 a, the third wall 41 d, and the fourth wall 41 e.
- At least one of guide portions 91 a (for example, of plurality of numbers, and for example, eight) which extend in the height direction Z is provided at the upper part of the main body portion 91 .
- the guide portion 91 a is a notch portion or a recess which is provided in the main body portion 91 .
- the plurality of guide portions 91 a are provided at equal intervals. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 , a height of the main body portion 91 is lower than that of the end guide 42 , the first side guide 43 a, and the second side guide 43 b.
- the height of the main body portion 91 is lower than that of the second wall 41 c, the third wall 41 d, and the fourth wall 41 e.
- the height of the main body portion 91 is lower than the height of the end guide 42 , or the like.
- the movable member 92 is adjacent to the main body portion 91 .
- the movable member 92 can change the height of the first wall 41 b by being moved in the height direction Z with respect to the main body portion 91 . That is, the movable member 92 can change the height position thereof with respect to the base wall 41 a by being moved in the height direction Z with respect to the base wall 41 a.
- “being moved to base wall 41 a ” means that a relative position to the base wall 41 a is changed, and it also includes a case of not coming into contact with the base wall 41 a.
- the movable member 92 includes at least one (for example, the same number as that of guide portion 91 a ) sliding portion 92 a which is engaged with the guide portion 91 a of the main body portion 91 .
- the sliding portion 92 a is a protrusion which is engaged with the guide portion 91 a which is a notch portion or a recess.
- the sliding portion 92 a can slide in the height direction Z by being guided by the guide portion 91 a (refer to FIG. 15 ).
- Both end portions of the movable member 92 in the Y direction are subjected to interference fit, for example, by the first groove portions 94 and 95 , respectively (refer to FIG. 17 ).
- the movable member 92 is held at a desired height securely to the main body portion 91 .
- a user can move the movable member 92 in the height direction Z with respect to the main body portion 91 (that is, with respect to base wall 41 a ), by applying a force in the height direction Z to the movable member 92 .
- the movable member 92 includes a first holding member 92 b and a second holding member 92 c (refer to FIG. 14 ).
- the first holding member 92 b and the second holding member 92 c are provided on a surface of the movable member 92 .
- the first holding member 92 b and the second holding member 92 c are members of which an upper end and a lower end are fixed to the movable member 92 and are handle-shaped members which extend in the height direction Z.
- a gap is formed between the one face of the movable member 92 on which the first holding member 92 b and the second holding member 92 c are provided and the first holding member 92 b and the second holding member 92 c.
- the height adjusting standard member 93 which will be described later, is held by being inserted into the gap.
- the movable member 92 is not limited to the above described example.
- a holding mechanism, or the like, for holding the movable member 92 with respect to another configuration so that the movable member 92 does not fall may be provided.
- the height adjusting standard member 93 shows an user a standard height for determining the position of the movable member 92 in the height direction Z with respect to the paper bundle B.
- a height of the movable member 92 and height of first wall 41 b needs to be set lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B by a predetermined height.
- the height adjusting standard member 93 includes a first main body portion 93 a, a second main body portion 93 b, and a gear 93 c.
- the first main body portion 93 a is formed in a shape in which one end of an approximately L-shaped member is curved.
- the curved portion forms a first protrusion portion 93 d which protrudes to the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the second main body portion 93 b is formed in a shape in which one end of an approximately L-shaped member is curved.
- the curved portion forms a second protrusion portion 93 e which protrudes to the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41 .
- the L-shaped portions of the first main body portion 93 a and the second main body portion 93 b come into contact with the movable member 92 .
- the gear 93 c is attached to the movable member 92 between the first main body portion 93 a and the second main body portion 93 b.
- the first main body portion 93 a and the second main body portion 93 b include a rack gear which is engaged with the gear 93 c.
- the first main body portion 93 a and the second main body portion 93 b are held with respect to the movable member 92 using the first holding member 92 b and the second holding member 92 c in a state of being engaged with the gear 93 c, and can move in the Y direction.
- first main body portion 93 a and the second main body portion 93 b move so as to be almost bilaterally symmetric each other, in FIG. 16 .
- the first protrusion portion 93 d and the second protrusion portion 93 e are approximately parallel to the base wall 41 a.
- the first protrusion portion 93 d and the second protrusion portion 93 e are placed on an upper end of the movable member 92 .
- the first protrusion portion 93 d includes a first height guide 93 f.
- the second protrusion portion 93 e includes a second height guide 93 g.
- the first height guide 93 f extends upward along the height direction Z from an end portion of the first protrusion portion 93 d, which is close to the paper bundle B, to a first curved portion 93 h.
- first height guide 93 f is diagonally curved at the first curved portion 93 h so as to be separated from the paper bundle B in the Y direction.
- second height guide 93 g extends upward along the height direction Z from an end portion of the second protrusion portion 93 e, which is close to the paper bundle B, to a second curved portion 93 i.
- An upper end portion of the second height guide 93 g is diagonally curved at the second curved portion 93 i so as to be separated from the paper bundle B in the Y direction.
- the first height guide 93 f and the second height guide 93 g come into contact with the paper bundle B as shown in FIG. 16 .
- the upper end of the movable member 92 becomes lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B by the height d.
- the height d corresponds to an amount of the sheet S which is appropriate for being placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P.
- the height adjusting standard member 93 shows the user a standard height for adjusting the height of the movable member 92 .
- the height of the movable member 92 is lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B, by the height d corresponding to an appropriate amount of the sheet S.
- the height adjusting standard member 93 is not limited to the above described example.
- the height adjusting standard member 93 may simply extends from the upper end of the movable member 92 by a predetermined height. In this case, a user can move the movable member 92 in the height direction Z so that the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B matches the height of the protrusion portion.
- the height adjusting standard member 93 may not be movable towards the Y direction.
- the second main body portion 93 b and the gear 93 c may be omitted, and the height adjusting standard member 93 may be entirely omitted.
- the first wall 41 b includes the main body portion 91 which is fixed to the base wall 41 a , and the movable member 92 which can move in the height direction Z with respect to the base wall 41 a; however, the main body portion 91 may not be provided. That is, only the movable member 92 functions as the first wall 41 b.
- the first wall 41 b includes the height adjusting standard member 93 of which at least a part is higher than the upper end of the movable member 92 . According to such an embodiment, it is possible to show a standard height of an appropriate amount with respect to the paper bundle B with various widths.
- the height adjusting standard member 93 includes the first main body portion 93 a and the second main body portion 93 b which can move in the Y direction which intersects the sheet transport direction X along the first wall 41 b. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to accept the paper bundle B with various sizes, and further improve convenience.
- the paper feeding unit 13 may be provided with a height sensor which detects a height of the paper bundle B, a movable member driving motor, or the like, which automatically adjusts a position of the movable member 92 according to the height of the paper bundle B which is detected.
- the height sensor and the movable member driving motor are controlled by the control unit 17 .
- the image forming apparatus in at least one of the above described embodiments, it is possible to improve convenience by setting the height of the first wall to be lower than the height of the guide.
- an image forming apparatus in which a paper bundle, and a packaging member which packages the paper bundle can be accommodated together in an accommodating unit.
- the accommodating unit includes a first wall on a sheet transport side, and a second wall located on a side opposite to the first wall with respect to the paper bundle, when the paper bundle and the packaging member are accommodated.
- a height of the first wall is lower than a height of the second wall.
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a sheet feeding cassette, and a pickup roller positioned above and on a sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and rotatable to pick up a sheet that is in contact therewith from the sheet feeding cassette. The sheet feeding cassette includes a sheet tray on which a sheet bundle and a packaging member for the sheet bundle are to be accommodated, first and second guides for supporting lateral sides of the sheet bundle and the packaging member, and a first wall on the sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and a third guide spaced apart from the first wall to support the sheet bundle and the packaging member from a trailing edge side thereof. The height of the first wall is lower than a height of each of the first, second, and third guides.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-141235, filed Jul. 20, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus.
- In the related art, a paper feeding device for an image forming apparatus in which a paper bundle and a packaging member thereof are accommodated together is known.
-
FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates a paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the paper feeding unit, which is taken along line F3-F3 illustrated inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view which illustrates a packaging member. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view which illustrates a paper bundle and the packaging member. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and inside the packaging member. -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view which illustrates the paper bundle within the packaging member placed in the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 8 is a sectional view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and within the packaging member placed in the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 9 is a schematic view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and within the packaging member supported by the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view which illustrates the paper bundle within the packaging member supported by the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of hardware components of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 12 is a flowchart which illustrates an example of a processing flow of a control unit according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 13 is a front view which illustrates a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit according to a second embodiment. -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view which illustrates a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit according to a third embodiment. -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment. -
FIG. 16 is a front view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment. -
FIG. 17 is a top view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment. - In general, according to an embodiment, there is provided an image forming apparatus which includes An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a sheet feeding cassette inserted into the housing along a first direction so as to be removable from the housing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a pickup roller that is positioned above and on a sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and rotatable to pick up a sheet that is in contact therewith from the sheet feeding cassette and convey the sheet in a third direction that crosses the first and second directions. The sheet feeding cassette includes a sheet tray on which a sheet bundle and a packaging member for the sheet bundle are to be accommodated, first and second guides spaced apart in the first and second directions and between which the sheet bundle and the packaging member are to be accommodated, the first and second guides extending in the third direction to support lateral sides of the sheet bundle and the packaging member, and a first wall on the sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and a third guide spaced apart from the first wall in the third direction to support the sheet bundle and the packaging member from a trailing edge side thereof, wherein a height of the first wall is lower than a height of each of the first, second, and third guides.
- Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to drawings. In the following descriptions, a configuration with the same, or a similar function will be attached with the same reference number. In addition, redundant description may be omitted. In addition, in the following descriptions, an “upper part” and a “lower part” related to a paper bundle B and a packaging member P respectively mean the “upper part” and the “lower part” based on a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in a
paper feeding cassette 41 of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a “sheet transport direction X” means a direction which is an approximately horizontal direction, and in which a sheet S is transported from apickup roller 47 toward apaper feeding roller 49, which described later. A “Y direction” means a direction which is an approximately horizontal direction, and intersects the sheet transport direction X, and is approximately orthogonal. A “height direction Z” means an approximately vertical direction. -
FIG. 1 is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP). However the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the above described example, and may be a copy machine, a printer, or the like. - The image forming apparatus 1 includes a
housing 11, ascanning unit 12, apaper feeding unit 13, aprinting unit 14, apaper discharge unit 15, auser interface 16, acontrol unit 17, and astorage unit 18. - The
housing 11 forms an exterior of the image forming apparatus 1. Thehousing 11 accommodates thescanning unit 12 thepaper feeding unit 13, theprinting unit 14, thecontrol unit 17, and thestorage unit 18. Thescanning unit 12 reads an image of the original document as digital data. Thepaper feeding unit 13 the sheet S is supplied toward atransport path 24 which will be explained later. Theprinting unit 14 forms an image on the sheet S based on image data subjected to an image formation process. Thepaper discharge unit 15 discharges the sheet S on which an image is formed by theprinting unit 14. Theuser interface 16 informs a user of various information, and receives inputs of various operating instructions. Thecontrol unit 17 controls each functional components in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, thecontrol unit 17 controls operations of thescanning unit 12, thepaper feeding unit 13, theprinting unit 14, theuser interface 16, and thestorage unit 18. Thestorage unit 18 stores various information. - Subsequently, a configuration of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
- First, the
printing unit 14 will be described. - In the embodiment, for convenience of descriptions, the
printing unit 14 of an intermediate transfer type will be described as an example. However, any type of image forming method can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a direct transfer type printing unit. Theprinting unit 14 includes an intermediate transfer unit (also referred to as a primary transfer unit) 21, asecondary transfer unit 22, afixing unit 23, and thetransport path 24. - The
intermediate transfer unit 21 includes anintermediate transfer belt 31, a plurality ofrollers image forming units - The
intermediate transfer belt 31 is an endless belt. The plurality ofrollers intermediate transfer belt 31 to support theintermediate transfer belt 31. In this manner, theintermediate transfer belt 31 can perform endless travelling in a direction of an arrow m shown inFIG. 1 . - The
image forming unit 33Y is for yellow color; theimage forming unit 33M is for magenta color; theimage forming unit 33C is for cyan color; and theimage forming unit 33K is for black color. Each of the plurality ofimage forming units photoconductive drum 33 a, acharging charger 33 b, anexposure unit 33 c, adeveloper 33 d, and atransfer roller 33 e respectively. Each of theimage forming units photoconductive drum 33 a onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 (i.e., primary transfer). - The
secondary transfer unit 22 includes atransfer roller 22 a. Thetransfer roller 22 a comes into contact with the outer face of theintermediate transfer belt 31. Onebelt roller 32 a which supports theintermediate transfer belt 31 from the inside thereof is also an element of thesecondary transfer unit 22. Thebelt roller 32 a and thetransfer roller 22 a sandwich theintermediate transfer belt 31 therebetween. - The sheet S is interposed between the
transfer roller 22 a and the outer peripheral surface of theintermediate transfer belt 31 such that the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S. In this manner, the toner image on theintermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred onto the sheet S and this operation is referred to as “secondary transfer.” - The fixing
unit 23 includes aheating roller 23 a, and apress roller 23 b. The fixingunit 23 heats and presses the sheet S passing through a nip portion formed between theheating roller 23 a and thepress roller 23 b. In this manner, the toner image transferred onto the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S. - The
transport path 24 extends over thepaper feeding unit 13, thesecondary transfer unit 22, the fixingunit 23 and thepaper discharge unit 15. The sheet S is transported from thepaper feeding unit 13 to thepaper discharge unit 15 through thetransport path 24 which passes through thesecondary transfer unit 22 and the fixingunit 23. - Subsequently, the
paper feeding unit 13 will be described. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates thepaper feeding unit 13.FIG. 3 is a sectional view which is taken along line F3-F3 of thepaper feeding unit 13 illustrated inFIG. 2 in a case where the paper bundle B is accommodated in thepaper feeding unit 13. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 , thepaper feeding unit 13 is a paper feeding cassette 41 (more generally referred to as “a sheet feeding cassette”) that includes anend guide 42, a first side guide 43 a, asecond side guide 43 b, asheet lifting mechanism 44, a cassette sensor 45 (refer toFIG. 1 ), anempty sensor 46, thepickup roller 47, a pickup roller driving mechanism 48 (refer toFIG. 1 ), a paper feeding roller 49 (refer toFIG. 1 ), a separating roller 50 (refer toFIG. 1 ), and a sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (refer toFIG. 1 ). Thepaper feeding unit 13 is an example of an “accommodating unit”. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , thepaper feeding cassette 41 includes abase wall 41 a, afirst wall 41 b, asecond wall 41 c, athird wall 41 d, and afourth wall 41 e. Thefirst wall 41 b, thesecond wall 41 c, thethird wall 41 d, and thefourth wall 41 e stand erect in the height direction Z from the peripheral end portion of thebase wall 41 a. In this manner, as a whole, thepaper feeding cassette 41 is formed in a box shape of which the upper part is open. - The
first wall 41 b and thesecond wall 41 c are approximately parallel to each other. Thefirst wall 41 b and thesecond wall 41 c extend in the Y direction which is the horizontal direction, and intersects (more particularly, approximately orthogonal) the sheet transport direction X. Thefirst wall 41 b and thesecond wall 41 c extend so that a width thereof in the Y direction is larger than a width of the paper bundle B, which is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41, in the Y direction. Thefirst wall 41 b is located on the downstream side (that is, transport side of sheet S) in the sheet transport direction X with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. Thesecond wall 41 c is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. That is, thesecond wall 41 c is located on the opposite side of thefirst wall 41 b with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. - Each of the
third wall 41 d and thefourth wall 41 e stretches to thefirst wall 41 b and thesecond wall 41 c along the sheet transport direction X. Thefourth wall 41 e is located on the opposite side of thethird wall 41 d with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. Thepaper feeding cassette 41 is attached to thehousing 11 so as to be drawn out. Thethird wall 41 d includes adrawer portion 41 g at which ahandle 41 f is provided. A user can draw out thepaper feeding cassette 41 from thehousing 11 by putting a finger into thehandle 41 f and pulling out thepaper feeding cassette 41. - According to the embodiment, the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated together in the
paper feeding cassette 41. That is, the paper bundle B is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 together with the packaging member P in a state in which at least a part thereof is packaged by the packaging member P. The packaging member P is, for example, packing paper. However, the packaging member P may be of other materials. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view which illustrates the packaging member P in the embodiment.FIG. 4 illustrates the packaging member P which is not yet opened. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , the packaging member P includes an upstream side end portion el and which is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X, and a downstream side end portion e2 which is located on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X, when the packaging member P is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. - In addition, the packaging member P includes a top face portion Pa, a lower face portion Pb, a first side face portion Pc, a second side face portion Pd, a third side face portion Pe, and a fourth side face portion Pf which the packaging member P is accommodated in the
paper feeding cassette 41. The top face portion Pa is located on thepickup roller 47 side, which will be described later, when the packaging member P is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. The lower face portion Pb is located on the opposite side of the top face portion Pa. Each of the first side face portion Pc, the second side face portion Pd, the third side face portion Pe, and the fourth side face portion Pf extends to the top face portion Pa and the lower face portion Pb. The first side face portion Pc is located on the upstream side end portion el of the packaging member P. The second side face portion Pd is located on the downstream side end portion e2 of the packaging member P. Each of the third side face portion Pe and the fourth side face portion Pf extends to the first side face portion Pc and the second side face portion Pd along the sheet transport direction X. The fourth side face portion Pf is located on the opposite side of the third side face portion Pe. - In addition, the packaging member P includes a cutting
guide line 61. For example, the cuttingguide line 61 is a perforation which is provided in the packaging member P. The cuttingguide line 61 is provided in the downstream side end portion e2 of the packaging member P. The cuttingguide line 61 is continuously provided in the top face portion Pa, the lower face portion Pb, the third side face portion Pe, and the fourth side face portion Pf of the packaging member P. That is, the cuttingguide line 61 is provided over the circumference of the packaging member P. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P according to the embodiment.FIG. 5 illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P in a state where opening portion PO (illustrated inFIG. 4 ) is removed by being separated from a remaining portion PR of the packaging member P along the cuttingguide line 61. In this manner, the packaging member P causes the paper bundle B to be exposed to the outside of the packaging member P, on the downstream side end portion e2 of the packaging member P. For example, the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed from the remaining portion PR of the packaging member P, such that the sheet S included in the paper bundle B can be taken out by thepickup roller 47, and a lever of theempty sensor 46 which will be described later, transmission of light, or the like are not interfered with. - According to the embodiment, a
recess portion 62 is formed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, when the packaging member P is removed along the cuttingguide line 61. The position of therecess portion 62 corresponds to the position of thepickup roller 47 in X-Y plane direction which will be described later. In this manner, when thepickup roller 47 is moved toward the paper bundle B, thepickup roller 47 can come into contact with the upper surface of the uppermost sheet in the paper bundle B directly without being hindered by the packaging member P. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P. As illustrated inFIG. 6 , according to the embodiment, the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 in a state in which the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed, and a part of the sheets S included in the paper bundle B is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, and is placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. According to the embodiment, a predetermined amount of sheets S (for example, approximately fifty sheets) on the upper part in the paper bundle B can be taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, and can be placed on the packaging member P, even after the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. - In this manner, a gap is formed between the uppermost sheet among the sheets S remaining in the inside of the packaging member P and a lower surface of the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, when the sheet S is taken out. In this manner, a frictional force between the sheets S, and a frictional force between the sheet S and the packaging member P are reduced. For example, an amount of sheet S which is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P is an amount which is obtained when a transport force of a member for taking out the sheet exceeds a frictional force between the sheets S, or a frictional force between the sheet S and the packaging member P.
- Subsequently, returning to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , theend guide 42, the first side guide 43 a, thesecond side guide 43 b, and thesheet lifting mechanism 44 will be described. - The
end guide 42 is an example of a “guide”. The end guide 42 stands up in the height direction Z from thebase wall 41 a in the inside of thepaper feeding cassette 41. Theend guide 42 extends along the Y direction. Theend guide 42 is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X, which is the opposite side of thefirst wall 41 b, with respect to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. The end guide 42 stands up along the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. Theend guide 42 supports upstream side end portion of the paper bundle B and the first side face portion Pc of the packaging member P. An end portion of the paper bundle B on the opposite side of theend guide 42 is supported by thefirst wall 41 b. For this reason, a position of the paper bundle B in the sheet transport direction X is regulated between theend guide 42 and thefirst wall 41 b. The end guide 42 can be movable in the sheet transport direction X along thebase wall 41 a. Theend guide 42 is located between the first side guide 43 a and thesecond side guide 43 b in the Y direction. - The first side guide 43 a is another example of the “guide”. The first side guide 43 a stands up from the
base wall 41 a in the height direction Z in the inside of thepaper feeding cassette 41. The first side guide 43 a extends along the sheet transport direction X. The first side guide 43 a is located between the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41, and thethird wall 41 d of thepaper feeding cassette 41. The first side guide 43 a stands up alongside the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. The first side guide 43 a supports a first side end portion of the paper bundle B and the packaging member P (corresponding to fourth side face portion Pf of packaging member P) in the Y direction. The first side guide 43 a is located between theend guide 42 and thefirst wall 41 b in the sheet transport direction X. The first side guide 43 a can move in the Y direction along thebase wall 41 a. - The
second side guide 43 b is still another example of the “guide”. Thesecond side guide 43 b stands up from thebase wall 41 a in the height direction Z, in the inside of thepaper feeding cassette 41. Thesecond side guide 43 b extends along the sheet transport direction X. Thesecond side guide 43 b is located between the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 and thefourth wall 41 e of thepaper feeding cassette 41. Thesecond side guide 43 b is located on aside opposite to the first side guide 43 a with respect to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. Thesecond side guide 43 b stands up alongside the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. Thesecond side guide 43 b supports a second side end portion of the paper bundle B and the packaging member P (corresponding to third side face portion Pe of packaging member P) in the Y direction. In this manner, a position of the paper bundle B in the Y direction is regulated between the first side guide 43 a and thesecond side guide 43 b. Thesecond side guide 43 b is located between theend guide 42 and thefirst wall 41 b in the sheet transport direction X. Thesecond side guide 43 b can move in the Y direction along thebase wall 41 a. - As described above, the paper bundle B is supported between the
end guide 42 and thefirst wall 41 b in the sheet transport direction X, and is supported between the first side guide 43 a and thesecond side guide 43 b in the Y direction. That is, the paper bundle B is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 so as to come into contact with theend guide 42, thefirst wall 41 b, the first side guide 43 a, and thesecond side guide 43 b. When an end portion of the paper bundle B on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X is held up by thesheet lifting mechanism 44, the paper bundle B and the packaging member P can be stably supported, mainly by theend guide 42, the first side guide 43 a, and thesecond side guide 43 b. When the sheet S included in the paper bundle B is transported, the first side guide 43 a and thesecond side guide 43 b function as the guide of the sheet S which is transported. - The
sheet lifting mechanism 44 includes asheet tray 44 a, a liftinglever 44 b, and adriving connecting shaft 44 c. Thesheet tray 44 a supports the paper bundle B and the packaging member P from the bottom. The liftinglever 44 b is connected to thesheet tray 44 a and thedriving connecting shaft 44 c. The liftinglever 44 b lifts thesheet tray 44 a in an inclining manner, so that a downstream side end portion of the paper bundle B in the sheet transport direction X moves upward as shown inFIG. 3 , when thedriving connecting shaft 44 c is rotated by a driving source which is not illustrated (for example, motor). - Subsequently, a relationship in height among each of members of the
paper feeding unit 13 will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8 .FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views which illustrate an example of a part of thepaper feeding unit 13. As illustrated inFIG. 7 , according to the embodiment, a height of thefirst wall 41 b of thepaper feeding cassette 41 is lower than that of theend guide 42, the first side guide 43 a, and thesecond side guide 43 b. Here, “a height of one member is lower than a height of the other member” means that a position of a higher end portion of one member in the height direction Z is lower than a position of a higher end portion of the other member in the height direction Z, when comparing the positions of the higher ends of both members in the height direction Z with each other. In addition, according to the embodiment, the entire height of thefirst wall 41 b is set to be lower than that of theend guide 42, the first side guide 43 a, and thesecond side guide 43 b; however, only a part of thefirst wall 41 b may be set to be low. In this case, a width of a portion of thefirst wall 41 b of which a height is set to be low in the Y direction is larger than a width of the paper bundle B in the Y direction so that a user can take out the sheet S from the packaging member P, as will be described later. - According to the embodiment, the height of the
first wall 41 b is lower than a height of an uppermost sheet S in the paper bundle B by a height d, in a state in which thesheet lifting mechanism 44 does not lift the paper bundle B, and in a state in which the paper bundle B is unused. The “unused state” means a state in which even one sheet S has not yet been drawn out from the paper bundle B (regardless of whether or not opening portion PO is removed). InFIG. 7 , a height d corresponds to a thickness of several sheets (for example, approximately fifty sheets). Meanwhile, thefirst wall 41 b has a height which can support remaining bundle of sheets S of the paper bundle B from the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X, after the predetermined amount of sheets S, which was included in the paper bundle B, is pulled out from the packaging member P. - In a different viewpoint, the height of the
first wall 41 b is lower than the height of thesecond wall 41 c, thethird wall 41 d, and thefourth wall 41 e (refer toFIG. 2 ). According to the embodiment, the height of the entirefirst wall 41 b is set to be lower than the height of thesecond wall 41 c, thethird wall 41 d, and thefourth wall 41 e; however, only a part of thefirst wall 41 b may be set to be low. - In another different viewpoint, according to the embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 7 , the height of theend guide 42, the first side guide 43 a, and thesecond side guide 43 b is higher than the height at which the top sheet S of the paper bundle B is located in a state in which thesheet lifting mechanism 44 does not lift the paper bundle B in an unused state. Likewise, the height of thesecond wall 41 c, thethird wall 41 d, and thefourth wall 41 e is higher than a height at which the top sheet S included in the paper bundle B is located. - With a difference in height, it is possible to take out a part of bundle of sheets S from a side of the
first wall 41 b, as will be described later, in a state in which the paper bundle B is held at a predetermined position by theend guide 42, the first side guide 43 a, and thesecond side guide 43 b. Hereinafter, a portion from which the sheet S is taken out, which is formed on thefirst wall 41 b due to the difference in height, is also referred to as an “extracting unit E”. - Here,
FIG. 7 illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. In addition, the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed, but the work of taking out a part of sheets S from the inside of the packaging member P, and placing the sheet on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, which is described above, is not performed. - Here, in order to suppress the frictional force between the sheets S, and the frictional force between the sheet S and the packaging member P, it would be desirable to perform the work of taking out a part of sheets S from the inside of the packaging member P, and place the sheets S on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, in addition to removing the opening portion PO of the packaging member P (refer to
FIG. 8 ). - In such a case, according to the
paper feeding cassette 41 in the embodiment, a user can place a part of the sheets S in the paper bundle B on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P by taking out the sheets from the inside of the packaging member P along the sheet transport direction X (arrow A inFIG. 7 ), without holding up or taking out the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 from thepaper feeding cassette 41, because thefirst wall 41 b is set to be lower than theguides FIG. 8 ). - According to the embodiment, a user takes out pieces of sheets S corresponding to a thickness of the height d or less from the packaging member P, and places the sheets on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. The height of the
first wall 41 b is set so that the height d corresponds to an appropriate amount of the sheet S, in order to show a user a standard amount of the sheet S which is appropriate to be placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. For example, the height d may be 5 mm to 10 mm. In this manner, it is possible to show the user the standard amount of the sheet S to be drawn out. However, the height of thefirst wall 41 b may be freely set, and it is not essential to set the height d to fall in the above described range. - In addition, one or more of the
end guide 42, the first side guide 43 a, and thesecond side guide 43 b may be omitted, and replaced with elements in thesecond wall 41 c, thethird wall 41 d, and thefourth wall 41 e that function so as to support the paper bundle B and the packaging member P. - Subsequently, returning to
FIGS. 1 and 3 again, the rest of thepaper feeding unit 13 will be described. - A
cassette sensor 45 is provided in thehousing 11. Thecassette sensor 45 detects that thepaper feeding cassette 41 is pulled out from thehousing 11. For example, thecassette sensor 45 is a contact sensor which comes into contact with thepaper feeding cassette 41 in a state where thepaper feeding cassette 41 is fully inserted into thehousing 11. Thecassette sensor 45 sends a detection result thereof to thecontrol unit 17. - The
empty sensor 46 detects that the paper bundle B is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. For example, theempty sensor 46 is a contact sensor which detects the paper bundle B when the lever comes into contact with the paper bundle B, in a case in which the paper bundle B is held up by thesheet tray 44 a. However, theempty sensor 46 is not limited to the above described example. For example, theempty sensor 46 may be an optical sensor including a light receiving unit and a light projecting unit, or a sensor of a type other than that. Theempty sensor 46 sends a detection result thereof to thecontrol unit 17. - The
pickup roller 47 is located above thepaper feeding cassette 41. Thepickup roller 47 comes into contact with the uppermost sheet S of the sheet bundle, which is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P and is placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. Thepickup roller 47 is driven by a pickup roller driving motor 52 (refer toFIG. 11 ). Thepickup roller 47 sends the sheet S included in the paper bundle B which is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 to thepaper feeding roller 49. Thepickup roller 47 is an example of a “roller which draws out the sheet S from thepaper feeding cassette 41”. - A pickup
roller driving mechanism 48 causes thepickup roller 47 to retreat to the upper side when thepaper feeding cassette 41 is pulled out from thehousing 11. Meanwhile, the pickuproller driving mechanism 48 puts down thepickup roller 47 toward the top sheet S, when thepaper feeding cassette 41 is closed with respect to thehousing 11. - The
paper feeding roller 49 and the separatingroller 50 are located on the downstream side of thepaper feeding cassette 41 in the sheet transport direction X. Each of thepaper feeding roller 49 and the separatingroller 50 is driven by a driving source which is not illustrated, (for example, motor). Thepaper feeding roller 49 sends the sheet S which is sent from thepaper feeding cassette 41 using thepickup roller 47 to thetransport path 24. When two sheets S are going to be transported from thepaper feeding cassette 41 using thepickup roller 47, the separatingroller 50 returns the sheet S underneath the other to thepaper feeding cassette 41. - The sheet
passage detecting sensor 51 is provided on the downstream side of thepickup roller 47 in the sheet transport direction X. For example, the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 is provided between thepickup roller 47 and thepaper feeding roller 49 in the sheet transport direction X. The sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 detects a passage of the sheet S which is drawn out by thepickup roller 47. For example, the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 includes a light projecting unit which radiates light downward, and a light receiving unit which detects reflected light of the light projecting unit. However the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 is not limited to the above described example. The sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 may be a contact sensor which detects a passage of the sheet S by being in contact with the sheet S which is transported by thepickup roller 47. The sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 sends a detection result thereof to thecontrol unit 17. - An operation example of the sheet
passage detecting sensor 51 will be described. -
FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views of thepaper feeding unit 13. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a case in which the sheet S is normally sent by thepickup roller 47. A part of sheets S in paper bundle B is placed on top face portion Pa of packaging member P. As illustrated inFIG. 9 , the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 detects the sheet S, when the sheet S passes under the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51. - Meanwhile,
FIG. 10 illustrates a case in which the sheet S is not normally transported by the pickup roller 47 (case in which a part of sheets S included in paper bundle B is not placed on top face portion Pa of packaging member P). As illustrated inFIG. 10 , the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 does not detect a passage of the sheet S because the sheet S does not pass through the lower part of the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51. - Subsequently, the
user interface 16 will be described. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , theuser interface 16 includes acontrol panel 71 and aspeaker 72. - The
control panel 71 includes adisplay unit 71 a and aninput receiving unit 71 b. Thedisplay unit 71 a includes a display screen D. The display screen D displays various information. For example, the display screen D displays an operation related to the image forming apparatus 1, and guidance of work with characters, an image, or video. For example, the display screen D displays a guidance related to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P. Theinput receiving unit 71 b includes a plurality of buttons. Theinput receiving unit 71 b receives an input of various operation instructions. - The
speaker 72 outputs various information using sound. Thespeaker 72 outputs the operation related to the image forming apparatus 1, and the guidance of a work using sound. For example, thespeaker 72 outputs guidance related to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P using sound. - Subsequently, the
control unit 17 and thestorage unit 18 will be described. -
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of hardware components of the image forming apparatus 1. - As illustrated in
FIG. 11 , thecontrol unit 17 is electrically connected to thescanning unit 12, thepaper feeding unit 13, theprinting unit 14, theuser interface 16, and thestorage unit 18 through an electric connecting path such as a cable. - A part, or all of the
control unit 17 is, for example, a software functional unit which is realized when a program or software component stored in a memory of the image forming apparatus 1 is executed by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). In addition, a part, or all of thecontrol unit 17 may be implemented in hardware (circuit unit; circuitry) such as a large scale integration (LSI), an application specific integration circuit (ASIC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternately, a part, or all of thecontrol unit 17 may be implemented as a combination of the software functional unit and hardware. Processes of thecontrol unit 17 will be described in detail in descriptions of a guide operation of the image forming apparatus 1 which is related to a paper feeding work. - The
storage unit 18 may be at least one of a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or the like. Contents of guidance which are displayed on the display screen D, contents of guidance which are output from thespeaker 72, and the like, are stored in thestorage unit 18. - Subsequently, a guide operation of the image forming apparatus 1 related to a paper feeding operation will be described.
- The image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment performs guidance related to the paper feeding operation with respect to a user who is going to perform the paper feeding operation. The guidance includes informing a user of guidance related to the paper bundle B and packaging member P (hereinafter, referred to as “guidance” simply) when the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the
paper feeding cassette 41. For example, according to the embodiment, the guidance provides information that it is necessary to place the plurality of sheets S included in the paper bundle B on the packaging member P by taking out the sheets S from the inside of the packaging member P. For example, the above guidance includes information that at least a part of sheets S in the sheets S which are in the paper bundle B which is located above the upper end of thefirst wall 41 b need to be taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, information that it is not necessary to hold up the paper bundle B and the packaging member P from thepaper feeding cassette 41, and information that a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B can be drawn out along the sheet transport direction X, in a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. - According to the embodiment, the
control unit 17 informs the user of the guidance through theuser interface 16. For example, thecontrol unit 17 displays the guidance on the display screen D of thedisplay unit 71 a by operating thedisplay unit 71 a. In addition, thecontrol unit 17 outputs the guidance using sound from thespeaker 72, by operating thespeaker 72. - Subsequently, an example of a flowchart of the
control unit 17 according to the embodiment will be illustrated. -
FIG. 12 is a flowchart which illustrates an example of the processing flow of thecontrol unit 17. - As illustrated in
FIG. 12 , first, thecontrol unit 17 detects that thepaper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from thehousing 11, based on a detection result of thecassette sensor 45, when thepaper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 (ACT 11). Thecontrol unit 17 controls theuser interface 16 so as to inform of guidance when it is detected that thepaper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 (ACT 12). That is, thecontrol unit 17 informs of the guidance by operating at least one of the display screen D and thespeaker 72. - Subsequently, the
control unit 17 detects that the paper bundle B is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 based on the detection result of theempty sensor 46, when the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41, and thepaper feeding cassette 41 is inserted back into the housing 11 (ACT 13). Thecontrol unit 17 drives thepickup roller 47 when the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 (ACT 14). Here, when a part of sheets S included in the paper bundle B is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, and is placed on the packaging member P, the sheet S fed by thepickup roller 47 passes under the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (refer toFIG. 9 ) after thepickup roller 47 is driven. On the other hand, when the sheet S in the paper bundle B is not placed on the packaging member P by being taken out from the packaging member P, thepickup roller 47 does not come into contact with the sheet S and draw out the sheet S and therefore the sheet S in the paper bundle B does not pass under the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (refer toFIG. 10 ), even after thepickup roller 47 is driven. - For this reason, the
control unit 17 determines whether or not a passage of the sheet S is detected by the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51, after accommodating of the paper bundle B in thepaper feeding cassette 41 is detected, and thepickup roller 47 is driven (ACT 15). - In addition, the
control unit 17 determines that a part of sheet S in the paper bundle B is placed on the packaging member P by being taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, when a passage of the sheet S is detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (Yes in ACT 15). In this case, thecontrol unit 17 controls thepickup roller 47, thepaper feeding roller 49, and the separatingroller 50 to transport the sheet S from thepaper feeding unit 13 toward the printing unit 14 (ACT 16). - On the other hand, the
control unit 17 determines that the sheet S is not placed on the packaging member P when a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (No in ACT 15). In this case, thecontrol unit 17 controls theuser interface 16 so as to inform of the guidance again (ACT 17). That is, thecontrol unit 17 informs of the guidance again, by operating at least one of the display screen D and thespeaker 72. In addition, when thepaper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from thehousing 11 again, thecontrol unit 17 detects that thepaper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from thehousing 11 based on the detection result of the cassette sensor 45 (ACT 18). In addition, thecontrol unit 17 performsACT 13 again. Here, “a case in which a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51” is a case in which there is no change in the detection result of the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51 from a start of driving of thepickup roller 47 to a predetermined time which is set in advance. - The above described processes from
ACT 11 toACT 17 are performed every time thepaper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from thehousing 11. - According to the image forming apparatus 1 with the guidance method of the paper feeding operation set forth above, it is possible to improve convenience. That is, according to the embodiment, a user can place a part of sheet S in the paper bundle B on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P by taking out the sheet from the inside of the packaging member P, without holding up or taking out the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the
paper feeding cassette 41 from thepaper feeding cassette 41. For this reason, even when the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 without taking out a part of the sheets S in the paper bundle B from the inside of the packaging member P, for example, it is not necessary to hold up or take out the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41 from thepaper feeding cassette 41. In this manner, it is possible to improve convenience. In addition, according to such an embodiment, a user can draw out a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B from the inside of the packaging member P, in a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. In this manner, the operation of drawing out the sheet S can be easily performed, compared to a case in which a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B is drawn out from the inside of the packaging member P before the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are inserted into thepaper feeding cassette 41. In this viewpoint, it is possible to improve convenience. - According to the embodiment, the height of the
first wall 41 b is lower than the height at which the top sheet S which is included in the paper bundle B, is located by the height d. The height d represents the amount of sheets S which is appropriate for being placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to show a user a standard height of the appropriate amount of the sheets S. - In the guidance method of the paper feeding operation in the embodiment, when the paper bundle B, and the packaging member P which packages the paper bundle B are accommodated in the
paper feeding cassette 41 of the image forming apparatus 1 together, guidance is provided so that a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B is placed on the packaging member P by being taken out from the extracting unit E which is formed in thepaper feeding cassette 41. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to accommodate the paper bundle B and the packaging member P in thepaper feeding cassette 41 based on the guidance, even when a user forgets the operation. In this manner, a failure in setting of the sheet S to thepaper feeding cassette 41 is infrequent, and it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus 1 in which setting of sheet S can be simply performed. - According to the embodiment, the
control unit 17 controls theuser interface 16 so as to inform of guidance, when a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheetpassage detecting sensor 51, in a case in which accommodating of the paper bundle B in thepaper feeding cassette 41 is detected by theempty sensor 46, and thepickup roller 47 is driven. According to such an embodiment, when the sheet S is not transported, it is possible to inform a user of the guidance again, by detecting whether or not the sheet S can be transported. In this manner, it is possible to further increase the user's convenience. - Subsequently, a second embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 13 . The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that anotch portion 81 for a finger hook is provided at the upper part of thefirst wall 41 b. In addition, configurations other than that which will be described below are the same as those in the first embodiment. -
FIG. 13 is a plan view which illustrates apaper feeding unit 13 according to the second embodiment. InFIG. 13 , thedrawer portion 41 g is not illustrated. As illustrated inFIG. 13 , therectangular notch portion 81 is provided on the upper part of thefirst wall 41 b of thepaper feeding cassette 41. A height of thefirst wall 41 b in thenotch portion 81 is lower than a height of thefirst wall 41 b inother portions 82 of thefirst wall 41 b. In addition, thenotch portion 81 is not limited to the above described example. A shape of thenotch portion 81 can be any shape such as a triangle or a half circle. In addition, a plurality of thenotch portions 81 may be provided. According to the embodiment, a width of thenotch portion 81 in the Y direction is a width which faces only a part of the paper bundle B (for example, width into which one or two human fingers can be inserted). A depth of thenotch portion 81 in the height direction Z is, for example, a depth into which one human finger can be inserted. - According to such a configuration, since a user can insert a finger into the
notch portion 81, it is possible to further easily take out a part of sheets S included in the paper bundle B from the packaging member P, in a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. - Subsequently, a third embodiment will be described with reference to
FIGS. 14 to 17 . The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the height of thefirst wall 41 b can be changed. In addition, configurations other than that in the following descriptions are the same as those in the second embodiment. -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view in which a part of configuration of apaper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from thefirst wall 41 b side.FIG. 15 is a perspective view in which a part of configuration of thepaper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from thesecond wall 41 c side.FIG. 16 is a front view in which a part of configuration of thepaper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from thefirst wall 41 b side.FIG. 17 is a top view in which a part of configuration of apaper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from above.FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. InFIGS. 14 to 17 , thedrawer portion 41 g is not illustrated. - The
first wall 41 b includes amain body portion 91, amovable member 92, and a height adjustingstandard member 93. In addition, as illustrated inFIGS. 14, 15, and 17 , thethird wall 41 d includes an end portion connected to thefirst wall 41 b. Afirst groove portion 94 is provided at the end portion. Thefourth wall 41 e includes an end portion connected to thefirst wall 41 b. Afirst groove portion 95 is provided at the end portion. As will be described later, thefirst groove portions movable member 92 in the horizontal direction so as to slide in the height direction Z (refer toFIG. 17 ). In addition, thefirst groove portions main body portion 91, instead of thethird wall 41 d and thefourth wall 41 e. - The
main body portion 91 is connected to thebase wall 41 a, thethird wall 41 d, and thefourth wall 41 e. At least one ofguide portions 91 a (for example, of plurality of numbers, and for example, eight) which extend in the height direction Z is provided at the upper part of themain body portion 91. For example, theguide portion 91 a is a notch portion or a recess which is provided in themain body portion 91. For example, the plurality ofguide portions 91 a are provided at equal intervals. As illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15 , a height of themain body portion 91 is lower than that of theend guide 42, the first side guide 43 a, and thesecond side guide 43 b. In addition, the height of themain body portion 91 is lower than that of thesecond wall 41 c, thethird wall 41 d, and thefourth wall 41 e. Here, according to the embodiment, the height of themain body portion 91 is lower than the height of theend guide 42, or the like. - The
movable member 92 is adjacent to themain body portion 91. Themovable member 92 can change the height of thefirst wall 41 b by being moved in the height direction Z with respect to themain body portion 91. That is, themovable member 92 can change the height position thereof with respect to thebase wall 41 a by being moved in the height direction Z with respect to thebase wall 41 a. In addition, “being moved tobase wall 41 a” means that a relative position to thebase wall 41 a is changed, and it also includes a case of not coming into contact with thebase wall 41 a. - The
movable member 92 includes at least one (for example, the same number as that ofguide portion 91 a) slidingportion 92 a which is engaged with theguide portion 91 a of themain body portion 91. For example, the slidingportion 92 a is a protrusion which is engaged with theguide portion 91 a which is a notch portion or a recess. The slidingportion 92 a can slide in the height direction Z by being guided by theguide portion 91 a (refer toFIG. 15 ). - Both end portions of the
movable member 92 in the Y direction are subjected to interference fit, for example, by thefirst groove portions FIG. 17 ). In this manner, themovable member 92 is held at a desired height securely to themain body portion 91. A user can move themovable member 92 in the height direction Z with respect to the main body portion 91 (that is, with respect tobase wall 41 a), by applying a force in the height direction Z to themovable member 92. In this manner, it is possible to adjust a height of a wall on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X, according to a thickness of the paper bundle B which is accommodated in thepaper feeding cassette 41. - The
movable member 92 includes a first holdingmember 92 b and a second holdingmember 92 c (refer toFIG. 14 ). The first holdingmember 92 b and the second holdingmember 92 c are provided on a surface of themovable member 92. The first holdingmember 92 b and the second holdingmember 92 c are members of which an upper end and a lower end are fixed to themovable member 92 and are handle-shaped members which extend in the height direction Z. A gap is formed between the one face of themovable member 92 on which the first holdingmember 92 b and the second holdingmember 92 c are provided and the first holdingmember 92 b and the second holdingmember 92 c. The height adjustingstandard member 93, which will be described later, is held by being inserted into the gap. In addition, themovable member 92 is not limited to the above described example. For example, a holding mechanism, or the like, for holding themovable member 92 with respect to another configuration so that themovable member 92 does not fall may be provided. - The height adjusting
standard member 93 shows an user a standard height for determining the position of themovable member 92 in the height direction Z with respect to the paper bundle B. When the position is set with respect to the paper bundle B with the height adjustingstandard member 93, a height of themovable member 92 and height offirst wall 41 b needs to be set lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B by a predetermined height. For example, the height adjustingstandard member 93 includes a firstmain body portion 93 a, a secondmain body portion 93 b, and agear 93 c. - The first
main body portion 93 a is formed in a shape in which one end of an approximately L-shaped member is curved. The curved portion forms afirst protrusion portion 93 d which protrudes to the inside of thepaper feeding cassette 41. Similarly, the secondmain body portion 93 b is formed in a shape in which one end of an approximately L-shaped member is curved. The curved portion forms asecond protrusion portion 93 e which protrudes to the inside of thepaper feeding cassette 41. The L-shaped portions of the firstmain body portion 93 a and the secondmain body portion 93 b come into contact with themovable member 92. Thegear 93 c is attached to themovable member 92 between the firstmain body portion 93 a and the secondmain body portion 93 b. The firstmain body portion 93 a and the secondmain body portion 93 b include a rack gear which is engaged with thegear 93 c. The firstmain body portion 93 a and the secondmain body portion 93 b are held with respect to themovable member 92 using the first holdingmember 92 b and the second holdingmember 92 c in a state of being engaged with thegear 93 c, and can move in the Y direction. By engaging with these gears when the firstmain body portion 93 a is moved in the right direction inFIG. 16 , the secondmain body portion 93 b moves in the left direction inFIG. 16 by the approximately same distance as the distance in which the firstmain body portion 93 a moves in the right direction. In this manner, the firstmain body portion 93 a and the secondmain body portion 93 b move so as to be almost bilaterally symmetric each other, inFIG. 16 . In this manner, it is possible to adjust positions of the firstmain body portion 93 a and the secondmain body portion 93 b according to a width of the paper bundle B. - The
first protrusion portion 93 d and thesecond protrusion portion 93 e are approximately parallel to thebase wall 41 a. Thefirst protrusion portion 93 d and thesecond protrusion portion 93 e are placed on an upper end of themovable member 92. Thefirst protrusion portion 93 d includes afirst height guide 93 f. Thesecond protrusion portion 93 e includes a second height guide 93 g. Thefirst height guide 93 f extends upward along the height direction Z from an end portion of thefirst protrusion portion 93 d, which is close to the paper bundle B, to a firstcurved portion 93 h. An upper end portion of thefirst height guide 93 f is diagonally curved at the firstcurved portion 93 h so as to be separated from the paper bundle B in the Y direction. Similarly, the second height guide 93 g extends upward along the height direction Z from an end portion of thesecond protrusion portion 93 e, which is close to the paper bundle B, to a secondcurved portion 93 i. An upper end portion of the second height guide 93 g is diagonally curved at the secondcurved portion 93 i so as to be separated from the paper bundle B in the Y direction. As illustrated inFIG. 16 , thefirst height guide 93 f and the second height guide 93 g come into contact with the paper bundle B as shown inFIG. 16 . - According to the embodiment, when a height of the first
curved portion 93 h of thefirst height guide 93 f and a height of the secondcurved portion 93 i of the second height guide 93 g are matched with the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B, the upper end of themovable member 92 becomes lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B by the height d. At this time, the height d corresponds to an amount of the sheet S which is appropriate for being placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. In this manner, the height adjustingstandard member 93 shows the user a standard height for adjusting the height of themovable member 92. That is, in a state where the height of the firstcurved portion 93 h and the height of the secondcurved portion 93 i are matched with the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B, the height of themovable member 92 is lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B, by the height d corresponding to an appropriate amount of the sheet S. - However, the height adjusting
standard member 93 is not limited to the above described example. For example, the height adjustingstandard member 93 may simply extends from the upper end of themovable member 92 by a predetermined height. In this case, a user can move themovable member 92 in the height direction Z so that the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B matches the height of the protrusion portion. In addition, the height adjustingstandard member 93 may not be movable towards the Y direction. The secondmain body portion 93 b and thegear 93 c may be omitted, and the height adjustingstandard member 93 may be entirely omitted. - According to the embodiment, the
first wall 41 b includes themain body portion 91 which is fixed to thebase wall 41 a, and themovable member 92 which can move in the height direction Z with respect to thebase wall 41 a; however, themain body portion 91 may not be provided. That is, only themovable member 92 functions as thefirst wall 41 b. - According to such an embodiment, since it is possible to adjust the height of the
first wall 41 b, it is possible to correspond to paper bundles B with various sizes, and further improve convenience. - According to the embodiment, the
first wall 41 b includes the height adjustingstandard member 93 of which at least a part is higher than the upper end of themovable member 92. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to show a standard height of an appropriate amount with respect to the paper bundle B with various widths. - According to the embodiment, the height adjusting
standard member 93 includes the firstmain body portion 93 a and the secondmain body portion 93 b which can move in the Y direction which intersects the sheet transport direction X along thefirst wall 41 b. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to accept the paper bundle B with various sizes, and further improve convenience. - According to the embodiment, a user manually adjusts the
movable member 92; however, thepaper feeding unit 13 may be provided with a height sensor which detects a height of the paper bundle B, a movable member driving motor, or the like, which automatically adjusts a position of themovable member 92 according to the height of the paper bundle B which is detected. In this case, the height sensor and the movable member driving motor are controlled by thecontrol unit 17. - According to the image forming apparatus in at least one of the above described embodiments, it is possible to improve convenience by setting the height of the first wall to be lower than the height of the guide.
- Alternatively, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which a paper bundle, and a packaging member which packages the paper bundle can be accommodated together in an accommodating unit. The accommodating unit includes a first wall on a sheet transport side, and a second wall located on a side opposite to the first wall with respect to the paper bundle, when the paper bundle and the packaging member are accommodated. A height of the first wall is lower than a height of the second wall.
- According to such an embodiment, it is possible to improve convenience by setting the height of the first wall to be lower than the height of the second wall.
- While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Claims (20)
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a sheet feeding cassette inserted into the housing along a first direction so as to be removable from the housing in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and
a pickup roller that is positioned above and on a sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and rotatable to pick up a sheet that is in contact therewith from the sheet feeding cassette and convey the sheet in a third direction that crosses the first and second directions,
wherein the sheet feeding cassette includes
a sheet tray on which a sheet bundle and a packaging member for the sheet bundle are to be accommodated,
first and second guides spaced apart in the first and second directions and between which the sheet bundle and the packaging member are to be accommodated, the first and second guides extending in the third direction to support lateral sides of the sheet bundle and the packaging member, and
a first wall on the sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and a third guide spaced apart from the first wall in the third direction to support the sheet bundle and the packaging member from a trailing edge side thereof, wherein a height of the first wall is lower than a height of each of the first, second, and third guides.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet feeding cassette further includes:
a sheet lifting mechanism configured to raise the sheet tray so that a leading edge side of the sheet bundle and the packaging member is lifted higher than the trailing edge side thereof.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
an upper part of the first wall includes a notch portion, and
a height of the first wall at the notch portion is lower than a height of the first wall at other portions of the first wall.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first wall includes a movable member which can change a height of the first wall by being moved.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a display unit controlled to display a guidance to take out sheets from the sheet bundle that is contained within the packaging member and place the sheets on top of the packaging member.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a control unit configured to detect that the sheet feeding cassette has been drawn out from the housing, and upon detecting that the sheet feeding cassette has been drawn out from the housing control the display unit to display the guidance.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
the control unit, upon detecting that the sheet feeding cassette is back in the housing and that the sheet bundle and the packaging member are accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette, activates the pickup roller to rotate to pickup the sheet that is in contact therewith.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a sheet passage detector positioned downstream of the pickup roller in the third direction,
wherein the controller displays the guidance on the display unit again if the sheet passage detector does not detect any sheet being picked up by the pickup roller upon activation of the pickup roller.
9. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a sheet feeding cassette inserted into the housing along a first direction so as to be removable from the housing in a second direction opposite to the first direction,
wherein the sheet feeding cassette includes
a sheet tray on which a sheet bundle and a packaging member for the sheet bundle are accommodated,
first and second guides spaced apart in the first and second directions and between which the sheet bundle and the packaging member are to be accommodated, the first and second guides extending in the third direction to support lateral sides of the sheet bundle and the packaging member, and
a first wall on the sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and a third guide spaced apart from the first wall in the third direction to support the sheet bundle and the packaging member from a trailing edge side thereof, wherein a height of the first wall is lower than a height of each of the first, second, and third guides and is lower than a height of the packaging member.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a pickup roller that is positioned above and on a sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and rotatable to pick up a sheet that is in contact therewith from the sheet feeding cassette and convey the sheet in a third direction that crosses the first and second directions.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the sheet bundle is exposed through an opening in the packaging member at a location above the first wall.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein sheets are stacked on an upper surface of the packaging member.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the sheet feeding cassette further includes:
a sheet lifting mechanism configured to raise the sheet tray so that a leading edge side of the sheets that are stacked on the upper surface of the packaging member is lifted higher than a trailing edge side thereof.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the pickup roller rotates to pick up an uppermost sheet from the sheets that are stacked on the upper surface of the packaging member.
15. The apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a display unit controlled to display a guidance to take out sheets from the sheet bundle that is contained within the packaging member and place the sheets on top of the packaging member.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a control unit configured to detect that the sheet feeding cassette has been drawn out from the housing, and upon detecting that the sheet feeding cassette has been drawn out from the housing control the display unit to display the guidance.
17. A method of accommodating sheets in a sheet feeding cassette inserted into a housing of an image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet feeding cassette includes a sheet tray on which a sheet bundle and a packaging member for the sheet bundle are to be accommodated, a first wall on a front side of the packaging member, first and second guides for supporting lateral sides of the packaging member, and a third guide for supporting a rear side of the packaging member, and the first wall has a low height portion above which a part of the front side of the packaging member is exposed, said method comprising:
placing the sheet bundle contained within the packaging member on the sheet tray, the packaging member having an opening through which a front side of the sheet bundle is exposed;
removing sheets from the sheet bundle that are exposed through the opening of the packaging member and above the low height portion of the first wall; and
placing the removed sheets on an upper surface of the packaging member.
18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising:
detecting that the sheet feeding cassette has been drawn out from the housing; and
displaying a guidance on a display unit to remove sheets from the sheet bundle and place the sheets on the upper surface of the packaging member.
19. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising:
detecting that there are no sheets on the upper surface of the packaging member; and
displaying a guidance on a display unit to remove sheets from the sheet bundle and place the sheets on the upper surface of the packaging member.
20. The method according to claim 17 , wherein a height of the first wall is lower than a height of each of the first, second, and third guides.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2017-141235 | 2017-07-20 | ||
JP2017141235A JP2019018985A (en) | 2017-07-20 | 2017-07-20 | Image formation device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20190023510A1 true US20190023510A1 (en) | 2019-01-24 |
Family
ID=64973918
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/879,519 Abandoned US20190023510A1 (en) | 2017-07-20 | 2018-01-25 | Image forming apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20190023510A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2019018985A (en) |
CN (2) | CN208384343U (en) |
-
2017
- 2017-07-20 JP JP2017141235A patent/JP2019018985A/en active Pending
-
2018
- 2018-01-25 US US15/879,519 patent/US20190023510A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-05-10 CN CN201820692351.7U patent/CN208384343U/en active Active
- 2018-05-10 CN CN201822134027.6U patent/CN209765262U/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN209765262U (en) | 2019-12-10 |
JP2019018985A (en) | 2019-02-07 |
CN208384343U (en) | 2019-01-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20050253323A1 (en) | Paper feeder and image forming apparatus using the same | |
US9335699B2 (en) | Sheet conveyer and image forming apparatus | |
JP2010074625A (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
JP5283900B2 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
JP2009007081A (en) | Recording medium storage device and image forming device | |
JP6529322B2 (en) | Paper feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus | |
US8919765B2 (en) | Sheet feed apparatus, and image forming apparatus and image reading apparatus including the same | |
US10472193B2 (en) | Image forming apparatus and guidance method for paper feeding work | |
KR100561431B1 (en) | Multi-functional peripheral device for adjusting the height of the paper stacker | |
US20230370558A1 (en) | Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus | |
US20190023510A1 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
US9187272B2 (en) | Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus including the same | |
US11528377B2 (en) | Document feeder and image forming apparatus | |
JP6929085B2 (en) | Sheet feeding device and image forming device | |
JP2021172475A (en) | Sheet discharge device, and original feeder and image forming apparatus comprising the same | |
JP6194656B2 (en) | Paper feeding device and image forming system | |
US8857811B2 (en) | Sheet transport device and image forming apparatus incorporated with the same | |
JP6944842B2 (en) | Image forming device | |
US10054897B2 (en) | Image formation apparatus with post-processing | |
JP2017024841A (en) | Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus | |
US20160362264A1 (en) | Sheet stacking device and imaging forming apparatus provided with same | |
US20230399189A1 (en) | Sheet ejection device, sheet post-processing device including the same and image forming system | |
JP7262989B2 (en) | Sheet feeding device and image forming device | |
JP4073817B2 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
JP2017098786A (en) | Medium processing device, image reader, image forming apparatus and medium processing method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OHNO, MASAHIRO;REEL/FRAME:044724/0749 Effective date: 20180123 Owner name: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OHNO, MASAHIRO;REEL/FRAME:044724/0749 Effective date: 20180123 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |