JP2000086047A - Curve correcting mechanism for recording paper discharged from printer and copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To straighten a curve of recording paper into plane shape so as to stack the recording paper thin in good order by disposing a cooling roller with both ends brought into contact with cooling elements, and a pressure roller energized by pressure springs, at an intermediate part between a fixing roller and a carrier roller, and discharge rollers. SOLUTION: A cooling roller 4 and a pressure roller 5 are disposed at an intermediate part between a fixing roller and discharge rollers. In the cooling roller 4, cooling liquid 13 is sealed in a cylindrical part, and cooling elements (Peltier elements) 12 are brought into contact with both end faces. In the pressure roller 5, both ends are journalled by bearings 11 and energized onto the cooling roller 4 side by pressure springs 10. Recording paper having passed the fixing roller is pressed while its temperature is high, and cooled to straighten the curve of the recording paper into plane shape. The recording paper can therefore be stacked thin in good order in a storage tray, and specified processing to the recording paper can be appropriately applied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pressurizing and cooling mechanism for correcting the curvature of a discharged recording sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers and copiers use a fixing roller maintained at a high temperature in order to fix toner on recording paper. When the recording paper passes through this part, the recording paper has a curved habit and is ejected as it is, so when automatically storing it in the tray attached to the main unit, it is difficult to store it in an aligned state, In some cases, the resulting thickness increased. Further, there is a difficulty in adding a function of processing (stapling or the like) the recording paper stored in the tray for the above-described reason.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pressurizing and cooling device for correcting the curvature of a discharged recording sheet.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a pressure roller unit and a cooling unit for cooling recording paper at an intermediate portion between a fixing roller unit and a storage tray unit. It is something. Note that the pressurizing unit and the cooling unit may be separated from the case where they are integrated.

[0005]

When the recording paper that has passed through a printer or a fixing roller of a copying machine passes through the apparatus configured as described above, pressure is applied by a pair of rollers while the temperature is high, and cooling is performed simultaneously or immediately after recording. The curl of paper can be removed and straightened. For this reason, the recording papers stacked on the storage tray are arranged neatly. Therefore, the thickness of the entire recording paper on the tray can be reduced.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 2, a cooling roller (4) and a pressure roller (5) are arranged at an intermediate portion between a fixing roller and a discharge roller. The two rollers are rotatably mounted to convey the recording paper,
Has driving force. Further, the cooling roller (4) seals the coolant liquid (13) inside the cylindrical shape, and the cooling element (Heltier element) (12) is brought into contact with both end surfaces.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cooling roller (4) is cooled by a cooling fan (14). The cooling roller has a cylindrical shape with both ends open, and is cooled from the inner surface of the roller by a repelling fan (14) provided at one end coaxially or in the vicinity thereof.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has a structure in which the pressurizing section and the cooling section are separated. Guide roller (1
8) and a pressure roller (5) to form a pressure portion, and a guide plate (19) and a cooling plate (17) to which a cooling element (Heltier element) (16) is attached to form a cooling portion. The transport roller (7) is provided as needed.

[0009]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing roller is pressurized by a pair of rollers at a high temperature, and is cooled at the same time or immediately thereafter, so that the curving shape of the recording paper can be removed and the recording paper can be straightened. For this reason, the recording sheets stacked on the storage tray are neatly arranged and the total thickness of the recording sheets can be reduced. Further, when a function of processing (stapling or the like) the recording paper stored in the tray is added, the function can be more easily implemented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional fixing roller and a storage tray.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of pressurization and cooling of a recording sheet, and a fixing roller and a storage tray.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of pressurizing and cooling the recording paper.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of pressurizing and cooling recording paper, and a fixing roller and a storage tray.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an example of pressurization and cooling of a recording sheet.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of pressurizing and cooling recording paper, and a fixing roller and a storage tray.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of pressurizing and cooling recording paper.

[Description of sign]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fixing roller 2 Recording paper 3 Conveying roller 4 Cooling roller 5 Pressure roller 6 Discharge roller 7 Conveying roller 8 Storage tray 9 Recording paper conveying direction 10 Pressure sprinkler 11 Bearing 12 Cooling element (Heltier element) 13 Coolant liquid 14 Cooling fan 15 Cooling roller 16 Cooling element (Heltier element) 17 Cooling plate 18 Gale roller 19 Galle plate

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 9, 1998 (1998.12.
9)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 6

[Correction method] Added

[Correction contents]

FIG. 6

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 7

[Correction method] Added

[Correction contents]

FIG. 7

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cooling roller (4) having both ends in contact with a fixing roller (1), a conveying roller (3), and an intermediate portion between discharge rollers (6) and (6) by cooling elements (Heltier elements) (12). Straightening mechanism for recording paper with a pressure roller (5) urged by a pressurizing sprinkler (10) 2. A cylindrical cooling roller (4) having both ends open at an intermediate portion between the fixing roller (1), the transport roller (3), the discharge rollers (6) and (6), and a cooling fan ( 14) and a mechanism for correcting the curvature of recording paper provided with a pressure roller (5) urged against the cooling roller (4) by a pressure sprinkler (10). 3. A cooling roller (4) is urged by a guide roller (18) and a pressure sprinkler (10) at an intermediate portion between a fixing roller (1), a transport roller (3) and a discharge roller (6). Pressure roller (5), guide roller (18) and cooling element (Heltier element)
Curve straightening mechanism for recording paper with guide plate (19) and cooling plate (12)