JP2004198755A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically arranging recording paper, only either surface of which is printed, so that its printing surface may be turned in a specified direction, and also automatically housing the arranged recording paper in a specified paper supply cassette. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with a cassette for used recording paper in which the used recording paper is housed and which is attached in an image forming apparatus main body, a sorted recording paper keeping box provided in the image forming apparatus main body and for temporarily keeping the used recording paper already sorted, and a means for carrying the sorted recording paper held in the sorted recording paper keeping box to the paper supply cassette corresponding to the size of the sorted recording paper and housing the recording paper in the paper feed cassette when specified time elapses after taking out all the used recording paper in the cassette for the used recording paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In a copying machine, recording paper once used for copying is reused as recording paper, and copying is performed on the back surface. In order to reuse the used recording paper in this way, after collecting the used recording paper, remove the recording paper printed on both sides and remove the recording paper printed on only one side. The printing surface must be aligned in a predetermined direction (either upward or downward).
[0003]
An apparatus for automatically performing such operations is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-335218. However, there has been developed a device in which recording paper on which printing is performed only on one side is arranged so that the printing surface is oriented in a predetermined direction, and then the recording paper is automatically stored in a predetermined paper cassette. Absent.
[0004]
[Patent Document] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-335218
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically align recording paper on which printing is performed on only one side so that the printing surface is oriented in a predetermined direction, and to automatically align the aligned recording paper in a predetermined paper cassette. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus that can be stored.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is directed to an image forming apparatus having a function of forming an image by feeding recording sheets stored in a sheet feeding cassette. A used recording paper cassette to be mounted, a sorted recording paper storage box provided in the image forming apparatus main body for temporarily storing the sorted used recording paper, and a use in which the used recording paper is stored. A means for determining whether or not printing has been performed on both sides of the used recording paper taken out one by one from the used recording paper cassette; If it is determined that printing is performed, the first transport unit that discharges the used recording paper, if it is determined that printing is performed only on one side of the used recording paper that has been taken out, , The second transporting means for storing the used recording paper in the sorted recording paper storage box so that the surface on which printing is performed is oriented in a predetermined direction, and the used recording paper cassette. When a predetermined time has elapsed after all the used recording papers have been removed, the sorted recording paper held in the sorted recording paper storage box is transferred to a paper cassette corresponding to the size of the sorted recording paper. It is characterized by comprising a third transport means for transporting the paper and storing it in the paper feed cassette.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine will be described.
[0008]
FIG. 1 shows the mechanism of the copying machine.
[0009]
A contact glass 1 on which a document to be copied (copied document) is placed is provided on an upper surface of the copying machine main body. An operation display unit 42 is provided on the upper surface of the copying machine main body. A document is sent onto the contact glass 1 by an automatic document feeder (ADF) 41.
[0010]
Three sheet cassettes 2, 3, and 4 are provided at a lower portion in the main body of the copying machine. An exposure mechanism, a printing mechanism, and a recording paper transport mechanism are provided at an upper portion in the main body of the copying machine.
[0011]
A used recording paper sorting apparatus is provided at an intermediate height in the copying machine main body. The used recording paper sorting apparatus automatically aligns used recording paper on which printing is performed only on one side so that the printing surface is in a predetermined direction (in this example, downward), and then aligns the used recording paper. This automatically supplies the completed recording paper to a paper feed cassette corresponding to the size of the recording paper.
[0012]
The exposure mechanism includes a first optical system including an exposure lamp 21 for exposing and scanning an image of a document (not shown) placed on the contact glass 1 and a first mirror 22 for reflecting light reflected from the document. The body 31, the second optical system traveling body 32 including the second and third mirrors 23 and 24 for guiding the light reflected by the first mirror 22 to the condenser lens 25, and the light obtained by the condenser lens 25. A solid-state image sensor 26 such as a CCD for converting information into an electric signal, a control unit 27 to which image information and the like obtained by the solid-state image sensor 26 are input, and a signal from the control unit 27 into an optical signal (laser light) A conversion laser unit 28 is provided. The laser beam output from the laser unit 28 irradiates the photosensitive drum 11.
[0013]
The first optical system traveling body 31 and the second optical system traveling body 32 are reciprocated in the left-right direction by a scan motor (not shown). The second optical system traveling body 32 moves at a speed that is half the speed of the first optical system traveling body 31 and a distance that is half the moving distance of the first optical system traveling body 31.
[0014]
To the control unit 27, in addition to the image information obtained by the solid-state imaging device 26, a signal and the like from the operation display unit 42 are input. The control unit 27 controls the entire copying machine, generates a signal for performing image formation based on the output (image information) of the solid-state imaging device 26 for the copy original, and outputs a control signal to the laser unit 28. Has functions.
[0015]
The printing mechanism includes a photosensitive drum 11. The photosensitive drum 11 is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow by a main motor (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 11, in the order of its rotation, a charger 12 for charging the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive layer is visualized as a toner visible image. Developing device 13, a transfer discharger 14 for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive layer to the recording paper, a separation discharger 15 for separating the recording paper from the photoconductor drum 11, a photoconductor after the transfer A cleaning device 16 for removing toner remaining on the drum 11 and a static eliminator 17 for removing charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 are provided.
[0016]
The recording paper transport mechanism transports the recording paper to the photosensitive drum 11 at a predetermined timing with the paper feeding rollers 51, 52, 53 and the pair of separating rollers 54, 55, 56 provided for the paper feeding cassettes 2, 3, and 4. A pair of registration rollers 57 and a conveyor belt 58 for transferring the recording paper on which the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred and peeled off from the photosensitive drum 11 to a pair of fixing rollers 59 are provided. The transfer paper on which the fixing process has been performed by the fixing roller pair 59 is sent onto the first discharge tray 61 via the discharge roller 60.
[0017]
The used recording paper sorting apparatus will be described. The used recording paper before sorting is set in the copying machine main body in a state of being stored in the used recording paper cassette 101. At the lower position of the used recording paper cassette 101 in the copying machine main body, a sorted recording paper storage box 102 for temporarily storing the used recording paper after sorting is arranged. In the main body of the copying machine, a paper feed roller 103 and a pair of separating rollers 104 for taking out used recording paper from the used recording paper cassette 101 are provided.
[0018]
In the copying machine main body, the used recording paper taken out of the used recording paper cassette 101 by the paper feed roller 103 and the separating roller pair 104 is stored in the second discharge tray 105 or the sorted recording paper storage box 102. Is formed.
[0019]
The transport path 110 extends a little to the right from the vicinity of the separation roller pair 104, then a little to the upper side, and then to the left, and leads to the discharge port. The transport path 110 branches near the discharge port and extends downward, and then extends to the right above the sorted recording paper storage box 102.
[0020]
An upper surface reading sensor 121 and a lower surface reading sensor 122 are arranged near the separation roller pair 104 in the transport path 110 so as to vertically sandwich the transport path 110. The upper surface reading sensor 121 is a sensor for determining whether or not an image is printed on the upper surface of the used recording paper, and the lower surface reading sensor 122 is for determining whether or not the image is printed on the lower surface of the used recording paper. This is a sensor for determining.
[0021]
A branch claw 123 is provided at a portion where the transport path 110 branches to the discharge port side and the sorted recording paper storage box 102. At a position from the left end of the horizontal portion of the transport path 110 above the sorted recording paper storage box 102, the used recording paper conveyed to that position is placed in the sorted recording paper storage box 102 at the upper left. A branch path 111 is formed for feeding in from the outside. A branch claw 124 is provided at a branch point between the transport path 110 and the branch path 111. A carry-in roller 125 for carrying the used recording paper entering the branch path 111 into the sorted recording paper storage box 102 is disposed below the branch path 111.
[0022]
Further, a bent portion 112 for inverting and feeding the used recording paper conveyed to the terminal end into the sorted recording paper storage box 102 from the upper right side thereof is formed at the end of the conveying path 110. A carry-in roller 126 for carrying the used recording paper that has entered the bent portion 112 into the sorted recording paper storage box 102 is disposed below the bent portion 112.
[0023]
A paper feed roller 106 and a separating roller pair 107 for taking out used recording paper from the sorted recording paper storage box 102 are provided on the upper left side of the sorted recording paper storage box 102 in the copying machine main body. Further, in the copying machine main body, the used recording paper taken out of the sorted recording paper storage box 102 by the paper feeding roller 106 and the separating roller pair 107 is transported to guide the used recording paper into the paper feeding tray 2, 3 or 4. A path 130 is formed.
[0024]
The transport path 130 extends a little from the vicinity of the separating roller pair 107 to the left, and then extends downward so as to be arranged on the left side of the left end of the sheet feed trays 2, 3, and 4. The lower end of the transport path 130 is bent obliquely downward to the right so that the used recording paper can be fed into the lowermost paper feed cassette 4. A branch path 131 for feeding used recording paper to the uppermost sheet cassette 2 and a branch path 132 for feeding used recording paper to the middle sheet cassette 2 are formed in the middle of the transport path 130. Have been. Branch claws 141 and 142 are provided at a branch point between the transport path 130 and each of the branch paths 131 and 132.
[0025]
Although not shown, the transport paths 110 and 130 are provided with a plurality of transport rollers for transporting used recording paper.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the used recording paper sorting apparatus.
[0027]
The control unit 27 is connected to an upper surface reading sensor 121, a lower surface reading sensor 122, driving devices 123D, 124D, 141D, 142D of the branch claws 123, 124, 141, 142, an operation display unit 42, and the like. For example, a solenoid is used as a drive device of the branch claw. The control unit 27 also controls the operation and non-operation of the paper feed rollers 103 and 106, the separation rollers 104 and 107, the carry-in rollers 125 and 126, and the transport rollers (not shown) provided in the transport paths 110 and 130.
[0028]
The operation of the used recording paper sorting apparatus will be described. After storing used recording paper of a predetermined size in the used recording paper cassette 101, the user mounts the used recording paper on the copying machine main body. The used recording paper stored in the used recording paper cassette 101 may include a recording paper on which printing is performed only on one side or a paper on which printing is performed on both sides.
[0029]
The user operates the operation display unit 42 to select the used recording paper sorting mode, and then sets the size of the used recording paper. Then, press the start key. When the start key is pressed in this way, the used recording paper stored in the used recording paper cassette 101 is fed one by one by the paper feed roller 103 and the separating roller pair 104, and the conveyance path is It is transported along 110.
[0030]
When the used recording paper fed from the used recording paper cassette 101 passes through the position where the upper surface reading sensor 121 and the lower surface reading sensor 122 are arranged, the upper and lower surfaces of the used recording paper are The image is read.
[0031]
Based on the outputs of these sensors 121 and 122, the control unit 27 determines whether or not printing has been performed on either the upper or lower surface of the fed used recording paper, or performs printing on either of the upper and lower surfaces. Is determined, or whether printing is performed on both the upper surface and the lower surface.
[0032]
When printing is performed on both sides of the fed used recording paper, the branch claw 123 is controlled so that the used recording paper is guided to the second discharge tray 105. When printing is performed only on the upper surface of the fed used recording paper, the used recording paper is stored in the sorted recording paper with the printing surface of the used recording paper facing down. The branch claws 123 and 124 are controlled so that the used recording paper is stored in the sorted recording paper storage box 102 through the bent portion 126 at the end of the transport path 110, that is, the used recording paper is stored in the box 102. Is done.
[0033]
When printing is performed only on the lower surface of the fed used recording paper, the used recording paper is stored in the sorted recording paper with the printing surface of the used recording paper facing down. The branch claws 123 and 124 are controlled so as to be stored in the box 102, that is, the used recording paper is stored in the sorted recording paper storage box 102 through the branch part 111 of the transport path 110. .
[0034]
If printing is not performed on either side of the fed recording paper, the used recording paper is used in the same way as when printing is performed only on the lower surface of the fed recording paper. The branching claws 123 and 124 are controlled so that the recording paper is stored in the sorted recording paper storage box 102 through the branching portion 111 of the transport path 110.
[0035]
After a predetermined time has elapsed after all the used recording paper in the used recording paper cassette 101 has been fed, the paper is stored in the sorted recording paper storage box 102 by the paper feed roller 106 and the separating roller pair 107. Sorted recording paper is unloaded one by one from the sorted recording paper storage box 102 and sent into the transport path 130. In addition, the sorted recording paper discharged from the sorted recording paper storage box 102 is sent to a paper feeding cassette corresponding to the used recording paper size set by the user among the paper feeding cassettes 2, 3, and 4. Is controlled so that the branch claws 141 and 142 are controlled.
[0036]
As a result, the sorted recording paper sent from the sorted recording paper storage box 102 into the transport path 130 is sent to a paper cassette corresponding to the size of the used recording paper set by the user. Since the used recording paper is held in the sorted recording paper storage box 102 in a state where the printing surface is directed downward, the sorted recording paper is stored in the paper feed cassette in a state where the printing surface is directed upward. Used recording paper is stored. Therefore, when the used recording paper is fed from the paper feed cassette, printing is performed on the surface on which no printing is performed.
[0037]
In the above-described embodiment, the size of the used recording paper stored in the used recording paper cassette is set. However, the paper feeding cassette in which the sorted recording paper is to be stored is set. You may.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically align recording paper on which printing is performed on only one side so that the printing surface is oriented in a predetermined direction, and to automatically align the aligned recording paper in a predetermined paper feeding cassette. It becomes possible to store it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a mechanism of a copying machine.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a used recording paper sorting apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
2, 3, 4 paper feed cassette 27 control unit 101 used recording paper cassette 102 sorted recording paper storage boxes 103, 106 paper feed rollers 110, 130 transport path 121 upper surface reading sensor 122 lower surface reading sensors 123, 124, 141, 142 Branch Claw

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus having a function of forming an image by feeding recording paper stored in a paper feed cassette,
A used recording paper cassette in which used recording paper is stored and which is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body;
A sorted recording paper storage box provided in the image forming apparatus main body for temporarily storing the sorted used recording paper,
Determining means for removing used recording paper one by one from a used recording paper cassette in which used recording paper is stored, and determining whether or not printing is performed on both sides of the used recording paper taken out,
If it is determined that printing is performed on both sides of the used recording paper that has been taken out, a first transport unit that discharges the used recording paper;
If it is determined that printing is performed only on one side of the used recording paper that has been taken out, the used recording paper is set so that the direction of the surface on which printing is performed is in a predetermined direction, A second conveying means for storing the sorted recording paper in the sorted recording paper storage box, and storing of the sorted recording paper when a predetermined time has elapsed after all the used recording paper in the used recording paper cassette has been taken out. Third transport means for transporting the sorted recording paper held in the box to a paper feed cassette corresponding to the size of the sorted recording paper, and storing the paper in the paper feed cassette;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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