JPH0594067A - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent transfer missing and deviation in an image by reducing generation of wrinkling which tend to form when an envelope is fed. CONSTITUTION:The generation of wrinkling is prevented by providing a flap opening mechanism 20 opening a flap fa of the envelope Pf with the flap fa in a closed state upstream in the carrying direction than a paper ejection tray, and ejecting the envelope Pf, which was fed in a state where the wrinkling is easily generated with the flap closed and the paper overlapped with each other, in a state where the flap fa is opened. The flap opening mechanisms 20 are effective if they are provided downstream in the carrying direction of a fixing device 21, upstream of the carrying direction of an image transferring part, and furthermore in a paper feeding part, and if they are provided each to upstream and downstream of an image transferring part and operated selectively, the flap can be opened even after being printed with the flap closed in a printing where an image is on the flap.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus such as a laser printer or a digital copying machine capable of forming an image on an envelope by an electrophotographic method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in the case of a western envelope, as shown in FIG. 19, the flap fa of the envelope Pf is packed (sold) in a closed state as shown by an imaginary line.

Therefore, when this envelope is fed with the flap closed, an image of an address or the like is transferred to the envelope, and the envelope is discharged onto the discharge tray with the flap closed. Since the flap must be opened when a letter or the like is put in the envelope later, when the image forming processing such as addressing is performed on a large number of envelopes, the work is difficult thereafter.

Further, when the envelope with the flap closed as described above is fed in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 19 and an address or the like is to be printed at a predetermined position of the front writing portion,
In the portion where the flap fa is closed, there are many overlapping portions of the paper, so that the flap fa slips due to the small friction coefficient between the paper and wrinkles occur, which easily forms an air layer. When the image transfer is performed in such a state, transfer omission and image shift are likely to occur.

Therefore, conventionally, in order to prevent such an inconvenience, for example, as described in JP-A-1-139443, a top sheet and a bottom sheet are formed with the leading end side in the sheet feeding direction as the fold side. When forming an openable paper carrier and inserting an envelope between both sheets when forming an image on the envelope, the window on which the paper surface on which the image is to be formed is formed on the upper sheet There is a case in which wrinkles are prevented by exposing from outside (to be a copy space) and sandwiching the other envelope portion around it with an upper sheet and a lower sheet.

[0006]

However, when an envelope is fed by using such an openable paper passing carrier, the upper sheet is opened and closed every time the sheet is fed. Since it was necessary to insert an envelope into and hold it, it was a troublesome task when the number of envelopes was large, and the work was troublesome.

Therefore, it is possible to open all the envelopes in advance and continuously feed the envelopes in that state. In this case, when the envelopes are fed in the direction of arrow M in FIG. The position of the envelope bottom fb, which is one side edge in the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper direction, is restricted by the side fence 45, and the end edge of the flap fa is restricted by the side fence 46 at the other side edge. In some cases, the original center line Lc of the envelope is displaced from the center line Ltc of the tray, and the image of the address or the like may be misaligned with respect to the regular position where the envelope is desired to be printed.

Further, when the envelope is ejected onto the paper ejection tray with the flap fa open as described above, the flap is moved downward when the envelope is ejected onto the paper ejection tray. If it becomes possible to support the weight of the envelope as a whole, the flaps that have been opened may be closed again, so when that happens, write a letter later. Since it had to be opened at that time, it took a lot of work, and the envelopes were apt to be in a disordered stack on the tray.

Also, when an address or the like is printed on the back side of a Western envelope, there is no problem if the image to be printed does not hang on the flap, but if it hangs on the flap, printing is performed with the flap open. When the flap is closed at, a part of the print portion is hidden by the flap. In such a case, it is necessary to print with the flap closed and then open the flap.

Further, the address and the like are often printed on the envelope only on the front side with one sheet of paper passing as in the case of direct mail. Therefore, such printing is performed in FIG.
The electrophotographic apparatus having the structure as shown in FIG. 1, that is, the transfer charger 8 as an image transfer unit and the transfer path 10 are configured to transfer the envelope Pf to the upper side of the photoconductor 6 and transfer the image to the lower surface side of the envelope Pf. If a device having a mechanism 14 for opening the flap fa of the envelope is provided on the lower side of the transport path 10 in this case, in this case, the envelope Pf is placed on the upper side of the flap fa as shown in the figure. The flap fa cannot be opened because it is set and conveyed so that

Therefore, when printing is performed on the front side of the envelope with such an apparatus, the flap fa is kept closed, so that the portion where the flap is closed is made of paper as described above. Wrinkles are likely to occur due to the large number of overlapping portions, which causes transfer defects and image shifts, making it difficult to obtain a clear image.

Contrary to the case of FIG. 20, the image transfer section and the transport path are configured so that the envelope is transported to the lower side of the photoconductor and the image is transferred to the upper side of the envelope. Similarly, when an apparatus provided with a mechanism for opening the flap on the upper side of the path prints on the front surface side of the envelope with one sheet of paper, it may be difficult to obtain a clear image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce wrinkles that are likely to occur when printing on an envelope as much as possible. It is also an object to prevent transfer omission caused by the influence of the wrinkles and to prevent the position of the image from deviating from a predetermined position.

Further, it is another object of the present invention to prevent the flap from closing on the paper ejection tray for the envelope which is ejected in the state where the image is formed and the flap is opened.
Still another object is to prevent the printed image from being hidden by the flap and missing even when the flap is closed when printing is performed on the back side of the envelope. It is also an object to obtain a clear image even when printing is performed on the front surface side of the envelope only once.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electrophotographic apparatus as described above, comprising:
A flap opening mechanism for opening the flap of the envelope in the state where the flap is closed is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance with respect to the discharge tray. It is effective to provide the flap opening mechanism on the downstream side of the conveyance of the fixing device, the upstream side of the conveyance of the image transfer section, and further on the sheet feeding section for feeding the envelope.

Further, the manual feed tray for setting the envelopes at the time of feeding is formed by a pair of trays which can approach and separate from each other in the paper width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction, and the flaps of the envelopes set on one of the trays. Install a side fence that regulates the position of the side edge on the opposite side, and align the flap fold line of the envelope at a position symmetrical to the side fence of the envelope with the flap closed on the upper surface of the other tray. It is advisable to provide a mark for the purpose of configuring the electrophotographic apparatus.

Further, it is effective to arrange the paper discharge tray in each of the above electrophotographic apparatuses so as to be inclined so that the flap of the envelope discharged to the tray is higher than the bottom of the envelope on the side opposite to the flap. .. Further, the flap opening mechanism selecting means for arranging the flap opening mechanism on the upstream side and the downstream side of the image transfer unit respectively, and for selectively operating one of the upstream and downstream flap opening mechanisms on the transportation side. Is effective.

Further, an image transfer section and a transport path are configured so that the envelope is transported to the upper side of the photoreceptor and the image is transferred to the lower surface side of the envelope, and a flap opening mechanism is provided above the transport path. An image transfer unit and a transport path are configured so that the envelope is transported to the lower side of the photoconductor and the image is transferred to the upper surface side of the envelope, and a flap opening mechanism is provided below the transport path to provide an electrophotographic apparatus. Good to configure.

[0019]

According to the electrophotographic apparatus configured as described above, when an envelope is fed while the flap is closed, the flap is opened by the flap opening mechanism provided on the upstream side of the delivery tray with respect to the delivery tray. The paper is opened and discharged onto the paper discharge tray. Therefore, the envelopes are ejected in a state in which the papers overlap each other and the parts that are easily misaligned are eliminated, so the occurrence of wrinkles is suppressed, and the envelopes are ejected on the paper ejection tray with the flaps open, This is convenient for putting letters etc. in the envelope.

If the flap opening mechanism is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device in the conveying direction, the flap can be opened after the image is fixed on the paper surface, so that the envelope can be easily conveyed and the image transfer portion can be easily operated. If the flap is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance, the flap is opened before the transfer so that the transfer gap is eliminated and the sheet is smoothly conveyed, so that the deviation of the image is also eliminated. Further, if the flap opening mechanism is provided in the sheet feeding section, the flap is opened during the sheet feeding stage, so that the occurrence of wrinkles can be further prevented.

Further, if the manual feed tray is formed of a pair of trays which can be approached and separated from each other, one of the trays is provided with a side fence, and the other tray is provided with a mark for aligning the flap bending line on the upper surface thereof. With the side edge of the envelope opposite to the flap abutting the side fence, you can set the flap fold line to the mark on the top of the other tray and set it even if the flap is open. The image can be transferred to the regular position without being displaced.

Then, if the position of the discharge tray is arranged so as to be inclined so that the flap of the envelope discharged to the tray is higher than the bottom of the envelope on the side opposite to the flap, after the image is formed. The envelope that is ejected onto the paper ejection tray with the flap open does not receive the weight of the entire envelope on the flap side, so the flap does not close.

If a flap opening mechanism is provided on each of the upstream side and the downstream side of the image transfer section for conveyance, and a flap opening mechanism selecting means is provided, when the image to be printed on the back surface of the envelope is applied to the flap, Since the flap opening mechanism selecting means can operate only the flap opening mechanism located on the downstream side of the conveyance of the image transfer section to open the flap after the image transfer, print the image on the back surface of the envelope with the flap closed. Thus, it is possible to prevent a part of the image from being hidden by the flap and missing.

Further, the envelope is conveyed to the upper side of the photosensitive member and the image is transferred to the lower surface side of the envelope, and a flap opening mechanism is provided on the upper side of the conveying path on the upstream side of the conveyance of the image transfer section. , The envelope is configured to be conveyed to the lower side of the photoconductor and the image is transferred to the upper surface side of the envelope, and a flap opening mechanism may be provided on the lower side of the conveying path on the upstream side of the conveyance of the image transfer section. For example, the flap opening mechanism allows the flap to be opened before transferring the image, so a clear image can be printed on the front side of the envelope only once when the flap is opened and wrinkles are less likely to occur. be able to.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of an electrophotographic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a copying machine as the electrophotographic apparatus.

A copying machine as the electrophotographic apparatus is shown in FIG.
It is possible to form an image on an envelope Pf having a flap fa and discharge it onto a paper discharge tray 16 as shown in FIG. 2, and a contact glass 2 is arranged on the upper part of the copying machine main body 1 and set on the contact glass 2. The original D is exposed by the exposure lamp 4 of the scanning optical system 3.
And the reflected light from the image surface is imaged on the drum-shaped photoconductor 6 whose surface is charged by the charging charger 5 and rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 to form an electrostatic latent image. Form.

A developing unit 7 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 6 with toner and a developing unit 7 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 6 are provided around the photosensitive member 6 disposed in the center of the copying machine main body 1. A transfer charger 8 for transferring the formed toner image to an envelope such as an envelope Pf, an eraser lamp 9, a separation charger 11, a cleaning unit 12 and the like are provided. The photoconductor 6 forms a photoconductor layer on the surface thereof, and the surface of the photoconductor 6 is uniformly charged by passing through the eraser lamp 9 and the charging charger 5. The photoconductor 6 receives image exposure from the scanning optical system 3 and receives the image exposure. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

On the other hand, an envelope (which may be a transfer material such as a normal transfer paper) Pf to which an image is transferred is fed to the left side in FIG. Are conveyed with timing adjusted by a pair of registration rollers 13, and an image is transferred to the image transfer section provided with a transfer charger 8 and then separated from the photoconductor 6 by a separation charger 11 to remove the belt. It is conveyed to the fixing device 21 by the used conveying device 19.

Then, the envelope Pf on which the image is fixed is discharged as it is onto the discharge tray 16 by the pair of discharge rollers 22. Further, the copying machine is provided with a flap opening mechanism 20 for opening the flap fa of the envelope Pf in a state where the flap fa is closed (shown by phantom lines in FIG. 3).
It is provided on the upstream side of the transportation and downstream of the fixing device 21 on the transportation side.

The flap opening mechanism 20 includes an opening lever 23, a solenoid 24 and a spring 2 as shown in FIG.
5 and a stopper 26, the opening lever 23 has a substantially central portion swingably supported by a pin, and an acute-angled claw portion 23a is formed at one end thereof.

A spring 25 is attached to the other end of the opening lever 23 so that the entire lever is always urged in the direction of arrow B by the urging force, and the amount of the oscillating movement of a part of the lever causes a stopper 26 to move. It is regulated by abutting, and a long hole 23b is formed near the mounting position of the spring 25, and a pin fixed to the movable shaft of the solenoid 24 is movably fitted therein.

Therefore, when the solenoid 24 is in the OFF state, the opening lever 23 is urged by the urging force of the spring 25 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1 so that the claw portion 23a side abuts the stopper 26. When it is in the retracted position shown by, and is turned on, it is swung in the direction opposite to the arrow B against the biasing force of the spring 25, and the claw portion 23a comes into contact with the envelope Pf conveyed on the conveying path 15. It becomes the position shown by the virtual line.

Immediately after the fixing device 21 shown in FIG. 1, a sensor 28 (for example, a reflection type photo sensor) for detecting an envelope such as an envelope toward the paper discharge roller 22 is provided. Further, in this copying machine, as shown in FIG. 5, the paper ejection tray 16 is arranged so as to be inclined so that the flap fa of the envelope Pf ejected there is higher than the envelope bottom fb on the side opposite to the flap fa. is doing.

This copying machine has an envelope Pf packed with the flap fa closed as shown by the phantom line in FIG.
When forming an image of an address or the like, the envelope is stored in the paper feed cassette 27 shown in FIG. 2 as needed. In this device, the direction of feeding the envelope Pf is indicated by the arrow C in FIG.
Set so that it is oriented.

When a start button (not shown) is pressed to start copying, the envelope Pf is fed to the left in FIG. 2 with the flap closed, as described above.
An image is formed at a predetermined position on the paper surface and the fixing device 21
Leave.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the envelope Pf
The sensor 28 detects the tip of the solenoid, and the solenoid 24 operates (turns on) after a predetermined time. Therefore, the opening lever 23 of the flap opening mechanism 20 swings in the direction opposite to the arrow B, the claw portion 23a comes into contact with the back sheet Pba (FIG. 3) other than the flap fa of the envelope Pf, and the envelope Pf receives the same. As it continues to be conveyed to the left in the figure as it is, the claw portion 23a is not
Enter the underside of the flap fa as shown by the phantom line in
The flap fa comes to be opened in the arrow E direction.

The tip of the claw portion 23a has an envelope Pf.
The solenoid 24 is turned off shortly before reaching the flap bending line Lbe (see also FIG. 3). Therefore, the release lever 23 returns to the position shown by the solid line in FIG.
The flap fa is almost open.

In this state, when the envelope Pf is conveyed leftward in FIG. 4 and the flap fa is clamped between the nip of the paper discharge rollers 22 and discharged as shown in FIG. 5, it passes between the rollers. As a result, the flap fa is completely opened to the flat state as shown by the solid line in FIG.
As shown in, the sheet is ejected onto the sheet ejection tray 16 from the envelope bottom fb side.

Although not shown in the drawings, for example, another flap opening mechanism 2 in FIG. 1 is used.
0 is the target position across the transport path 15 (on the lower side of the envelope)
In this case, even when the envelope Pf is fed with the flap fa facing downward, the flap fa
Can be opened.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the flap is opened by the flap opening mechanism 20 after the image is fixed on the envelope, the envelope can be easily transported and the opening lever 23 comes into contact with the image on the envelope. Even if this happens, the image is not fixed because the image has already been fixed.

Since the envelope is discharged onto the discharge tray 16 with the flap open, it is not necessary to open the flap when inserting a letter or the like in the envelope thereafter.
When sending out a large amount of mail, etc., it can be very easy. Further, since the flap is in an open state when the envelope passes through the paper ejection roller 22, the paper is ejected in a state in which the overlapping portions of the paper are not present when the envelope passes therethrough and the easily misaligned portions disappear. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles that tend to occur when the rollers pass.

Furthermore, the position of the paper discharge tray 16 and the position of the paper discharge roller 22 for discharging envelopes on the tray is determined by the paper discharge tray 1
Since the flap fa of the envelope Pf ejected to 6 is set higher than the flap bottom part fb on the side opposite to the flap, the trays are inclined to set the respective positional relationships.
Since the envelope Pf discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 16 with the flap fa opened after the image is formed does not add the weight of the entire envelope to the flap fa side as shown in FIG. The flap fa that has been opened will not be closed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the sheet is ejected so that the flap fa is located on the rear end side in the sheet ejection direction, it is determined whether face-up sheet ejection (image surface is upward) or face-down sheet ejection. However, the flap fa never closes. Further, when the discharge tray 16 is arranged in the posture shown in FIG. 6, the envelope Pf is fed so that the flap fa is the front end side in the paper discharge direction and the envelope bottom fb is the rear end side. To paper.
In this way, the envelope bottom fb is always below the flap fa on the paper discharge tray 16 regardless of face-up or face-down.

7 and 8 show an embodiment in which the tray surface of the paper discharge tray 16 is inclined with respect to the axis of the paper discharge roller 22, and in this case, the envelope Pf is shown in FIG. Paper is fed in the direction of arrow F. Even in this way, FIG.
Since the envelope bottom portion fb can be positioned below the flap fa on the paper ejection tray 16 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the flap fa is not closed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing only the essential parts of an embodiment in which the flap opening mechanism is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance of the image transfer section, and the parts corresponding to FIGS. Is attached. In the copying machine as the electrophotographic apparatus, the flap opening mechanism 20 is arranged at a position immediately before the registration roller 13 on the upstream side of the conveyance of the transfer charger 8 serving as an image transfer portion, as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. Only the points differ.

In this embodiment, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the flap opening mechanism 20 is operated at a predetermined timing to swing the opening lever 23 to the position shown by the phantom line in FIG. 9 (the solenoid 24 is turned on). ), The flap fa of the envelope Pf conveyed on the conveyance path 15 is opened. According to this embodiment, since the image is transferred by the transfer charger 8 after the flap fa of the envelope Pf is opened, it is possible to further reduce the wrinkles occurring in the envelope before the transfer, thus preventing the transfer blank.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing only a main part of the embodiment in which the flap opening mechanism is provided in the paper feeding section.
The parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the flap opening mechanism 20 is provided in the paper feeding unit 1.
7 is provided on the upstream side of conveyance of the paper feed roller 18. Then, when each envelope Pf is fed by the feed roller 18, the solenoid 24 of the flap opening mechanism 20 is turned on at a timing slightly before that, and the claw portion 23 of the opening lever 23 is turned on.
A is brought into contact with the upper surface of the envelope, and the flap fa is opened by the same operation as in each of the above-described embodiments.

According to this embodiment, since the envelope Pf is fed with the flap fa opened from the beginning, the envelope Pf has the flap fa between all the rollers provided on the conveying path 15. Since it is transported in an open state, there are almost no wrinkles. Further, in this embodiment, the flap opening mechanism 20 is not provided in the copying machine main body 1, and the paper feeding unit 1
Since it can be provided in the paper feeding cassette 27 of No. 7, it can be applied even to a normal copying machine which has been used conventionally.

Further, since the flap is opened at the initial stage of starting the feeding, the envelope length in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3 (in this embodiment, the feeding direction is set in view of processing speed). Since the distance between the rollers of each transport system is set shorter than the envelope length in the paper feed direction when the flap is closed, even if the small envelope cannot be fed, Since the length of the envelope becomes longer by the amount that can be fed with the flap open, it becomes possible to feed the envelope, which increases the types of envelopes that can be fed.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are overall structural views showing an embodiment of a copying machine as an electrophotographic apparatus in which an image can be transferred to an envelope set with the flap open without shifting the position, and a copy thereof. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a manual feed tray and an envelope provided in the machine, in which parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. This copying machine is shown in FIG.
3, the paper feed path from the paper feed cassette 27 is branched to form a manual paper feed path 31, and the manual paper feed path 3 is formed.
A manual feed tray 32 (envelope feeder) for setting the envelope Pf at the time of feeding is disposed at the entrance of 1.

Then, the manual feed tray 32 is shown in FIG.
A pair of trays 3 that can approach and separate from each other as shown in FIG.
3, 34, and one side tray 33 is provided with a side fence 35 for restricting the position of the envelope bottom portion fb which is the side edge opposite to the flap fa of the envelope Pf set therein.
A mark 36 for aligning the flap bending line Lbe of the envelope Pf is provided on the upper surface of the other tray 34 at a position symmetrical to the side fence 35 with respect to the center line Lc of the envelope with the flap fa closed.

The pair of trays 33 and 34 are rack portions 33a and 34a formed at positions facing each other.
However, when one of them is engaged with each of the pinions 37 provided in the middle thereof and one of them is moved in the direction of arrow H, the other tray is moved by the same amount as the moving amount.
Further, the mark 36 provided on the tray 34 may be a positioning mark such as a triangle mark as shown in FIG. 12, or a line may be engraved on the tray itself, or the mark may be used. The tray portion on the right side in the figure may be color-coded with the position where it is provided as a boundary.

This copying machine has an envelope P having a flap fa.
When forming an image of an address or the like on f, the user himself opens the flap fa of the envelope Pf (if it is open from the beginning, it remains as it is). Next, the envelope Pf is oriented as shown in FIG. 12 (in the case of writing, the front and back are inverted), the envelope bottom fa is pressed against the side fence 35, and the tray is adjusted so that the flap fold line Lbe is located at the mark 36. 34 is moved in the direction of arrow H for adjustment, and when the setting is completed, a copy start button (not shown) is pressed to start manual paper feeding.

As a result, the envelope Pf is conveyed through the manual paper feed path 31 shown in FIG. 11 with the flap fa open, and the image is transferred by the image transfer section as in the above-described embodiments. .. According to this embodiment, even if the flap fa is opened and set, it can be set on the manual feed tray 32 without shifting the center line Lc of the envelope.
The image of the address or the like does not shift from the predetermined position of the envelope Pf, and the rollers provided on the conveying path do not slip at the flap portion, so that wrinkles and image shift occur. Can be prevented.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which a flap pressing member for pressing the opened flap is added to the embodiment of FIG. 12, and the parts corresponding to those of FIG. 12 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the flap pressing member 41 is pivotally attached to the outside of the tray 34 so as to be openable and closable in the direction of the arrow G, and after the envelopes Pf are set on the trays 33 and 34 as in the case of the embodiment of FIG. By setting the flap holding member 41 on the flap fa in an open state, the flap fa is prevented from jumping up.

The flap pressing member 41 may press the flap fa by its own weight, or a weak spring may be attached to urge the flap fa to rotate. In this embodiment, the back fence 42 that regulates the rear end of the envelope Pf is also provided so as to be movable in the arrow J direction.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of an electrophotographic apparatus in which a flap opening mechanism is provided on each of the upstream side and the downstream side of the image transfer section for transporting and selectively actuating it.
The same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to.

In this embodiment, a flap opening mechanism 20A similar to the flap opening mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 9 is shown on the upstream side (the right side in the figure) of the transfer charger 8 which is an image transfer section (a simplified illustration). ) To the downstream side of the flap opening mechanism 2
0B respectively, a similar flap opening mechanism 20C is arranged in a switchback path 52 on a double-sided conveying path 51 provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 21 in the conveying direction, and a flap opening mechanism on the upstream side and the downstream side of the conveying direction is arranged. While selectively operating either one of 20A and 20B, the flap opening mechanism 20
C can be operated as needed.

That is, as described above, the flap opening mechanisms 20A, 20B and 20C are arranged at the respective positions on the conveying path, and the scanner 53 is provided in the paper feeding section 17,
With the scanner 53, it is possible to recognize the size of the flap fa of the envelope Pf set in the paper feeding unit 17 with the back side facing upward, the envelope size, the orientation of the envelope (whether the flap is the leading edge side or the trailing edge side). I have to.

Then, the envelope information from the scanner 53 is input to the microcomputer 60 functioning as a flap opening mechanism selecting means as shown in FIG. 15, and the microcomputer 60 has the controller 6 of the copying machine.
Image information to be printed on the back surface of the envelope is also input from 1.

The microcomputer 60 compares the input envelope information with the image information to determine whether or not the image to be printed is flapped, and further determines the orientation of the envelope and the instructed print image. "Pattern 1-1" when determining whether to print on the back side only or to print on both sides and to print on the back side of the envelope described below depending on the combination of these conditions
˜Pattern 1-4 ″ and ‘Pattern 2-1 ″ ˜“ Pattern 2-4 ”all eight patterns corresponding to the flap opening mechanism 20A set in advance in correspondence with each other.
According to the operation contents of ~ 20C, they are selectively operated.

[Pattern 1-1] ... A flap (at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 14) on the trailing end side of the envelope, and the back side image is applied to the flap only by the back side printing. "Pattern 1-2": A flap is provided on the trailing end side of the envelope and only the back side printing is performed, and the back side image does not overlap the flap. "Pattern 1-3" ... A flap is applied to the trailing end of the envelope, and the image on the back side is applied to the flap by double-sided printing. “Pattern 1-4”: A flap is placed on the trailing end side of the envelope, and double-sided printing does not cover the image on the back side of the flap. “Pattern 2-1” ... A flap (the position shown by the phantom line in FIG. 14) on the leading edge side of the envelope, and the back side image is applied only to the back side printing. "Pattern 2-2" ... A flap is provided on the leading edge side of the envelope, only the back side printing is performed, and the back side image does not overlap the flap. "Pattern 2-3" ... A flap is applied to the front end side of the envelope and the image on the back side is applied to the flap by double-sided printing. "Pattern 2-4": A flap is placed on the leading edge side of the envelope and double-sided printing does not cover the image on the back side.

The flap opening mechanism selected by the microcomputer 60 is selected according to the flow chart shown in FIG. That is, when this flowchart starts, it is determined in step 1 whether the envelope Pf is set in the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 14 and the position of the flap fa is at the trailing end side of the sheet feeding. If not (NO judgment), the above-mentioned “Pattern 2-1”-
Since it is one of the "pattern 2-4", the process proceeds to step 2, but if so, the "pattern 1-1"-
Since the pattern is one of "Pattern 1-4", the process proceeds to step 3.

In step 3, it is determined whether or not an instruction to print only on the back side of the envelope has been issued. If double-sided printing is to be performed on the front side (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 4, but only the back side is printed. In this case, the process proceeds to step 5 and it is determined whether or not the image to be printed is at the flap position. Therefore, if the determination is YES, step 6
The flap opening mechanism 20 located downstream of the transfer portion in the conveyance
Only B is operated for a predetermined time at the timing of opening the flap of the fed envelope, and then returns to the main routine and repeats the determination and processing from step 1 at the predetermined timing.

Therefore, in this way, steps 1 → 3 →
In the case of 5 → 6, the above-mentioned “Pattern 1-1”
In this case, the image to be printed is applied to the flap, but since the flap is opened after the image is transferred to the envelope with the flap closed in this way, the back side of the envelope is closed even when the flap is closed. The image printed on is not hidden by the flaps.

When the envelope Pf is set as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 14 and the position of the flap fa is on the leading edge side of the sheet feed, and the process proceeds from step 1 to step 2, the printing is performed on the back surface of the envelope. It is determined whether or not an instruction to perform only is issued, and if so, the flap opening mechanisms 20A to 20C are not operated and the process returns to the main routine.

Incidentally, in the case of "Pattern 2-1" to "Pattern 2-4" mentioned above, which proceeds to Step 1 → 2,
Since the flap cannot be opened by the flap opening mechanism 20A or 20B (because the opening mechanism has the opposite direction of the claws), it is necessary to judge whether or not the image to be printed on the back surface of the envelope covers the flap. Absent.

If it is determined in step 2 that the envelope is to be printed on both sides (NO), the process proceeds to step 7 and only the flap opening mechanism 20C is operated for a predetermined time to open the flap. Image is transferred to the back side of the envelope by the double-sided conveyance path 51 and the switchback path 5 by
Open the flap of the envelope sent to 2. By doing so, the front and back of the envelope are reversed with the flap open, and the envelope is sent again to the image transfer section, where an image is formed on the front side and discharged.

On the other hand, if the image to be printed on the back side is not applied to the flap by proceeding to steps 1 → 3 → 5, proceeding to step 8, only the flap opening mechanism 20A is operated for a predetermined time to open the flap, and then to the main routine. To return. Therefore, in this case, since the image is transferred with the flap open, the portion where the image is transferred is less overlapped on the paper, and the occurrence of wrinkles can be prevented.

If steps 1 → 3 → 4 are proceeded, it is judged whether or not the image printed on the back side is flapped, and if so, the process proceeds to step 6 described above, otherwise step 6 Go to 8. Note that step 8
Even if only the flap opening mechanism 20B is operated for a predetermined time for the envelope to pass, the image printed on the back surface of the envelope will not be hidden by the flap and lost.

By the way, when printing is performed from the front side of the envelope when double-sided printing is performed so that the image on the back side of the envelope is not partially covered by the flap as described above, first, It is necessary to transfer the image with the flap open in consideration of the wrinkles that are likely to occur on the envelope.

However, when the image is transferred to the next back side, it is necessary to take the partial omission of the image into consideration so that the transfer is performed with the flap closed, and thus the envelope is transferred to the front side in this way. When printing from the side, unless the flap opening operation and the flap closing operation are repeated, it is difficult to obtain a beautiful image without transfer omissions, and the mechanism becomes complicated accordingly. However, according to this embodiment, since the envelope is printed first from the back side when performing double-sided printing as described above, a beautiful image is printed on both sides of the envelope with only one flap opening operation. can do.

In this embodiment, an example in which the flap opening mechanism to be operated is automatically selected has been described. However, the scanner 53 shown in FIG. A switch is provided that allows the operator to select whether the image is printed on the flap, whether it is on the backside or on the backside.
When the image to be printed on the back surface is applied to the flap, the image can be prevented from being hidden by the flap even if only the flap opening mechanism 20B is operated by selectively pressing the switch manually.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment in which a flap opening mechanism is provided on the upper side of the conveying path of the upper conveying electrophotographic apparatus, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG. 14 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the electrophotographic apparatus according to this embodiment, a transfer charger 8 as an image transfer unit and a conveyance path 10 are configured so that the envelope Pf is conveyed to the upper side of the photoconductor 6 and the image is transferred to the lower side of the envelope Pf, A flap opening mechanism 20 is provided above the transport path 10.

In this way, the flap opening mechanism 20
Since the flap fa of the envelope Pf set with the back surface facing upward as shown in the figure can be opened before transferring the image, the flap fa is opened on the front surface side of the envelope Pf in a state where the flap fa is not easily opened and wrinkles easily occur. A clear image can be printed with only one pass. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when an address or the like is printed only on the surface of the envelope such as direct mail, a clear image can be printed with one sheet of paper.

When printing on both sides, regardless of whether the flap opening mechanism is on the upper side or the lower side of the conveyance path, the flaps are opened (because wrinkles are less likely to occur and are beautiful, considering the printing order. The surface can be printed with (Printable).

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment in which a flap opening mechanism is provided on the lower side of the conveying path of the lower conveying electrophotographic apparatus, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG. 17 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the electrophotographic apparatus according to this embodiment, the transfer charger 8 as an image transfer unit and the transport path 10 are configured so that the envelope Pf is transported to the lower side of the photoconductor 6 and the image is transferred to the upper surface side of the envelope. A flap opening mechanism 20 is provided below the transport path 10 so that the envelope Pf is set with the flap fa side facing downward.

In this way, the flap fa of the envelope Pf can be opened by the flap opening mechanism 20 before transferring the image, as in the embodiment of FIG.
A clear image can be printed on the front side of f with only one pass. In each of the above-described embodiments, when the flap of the envelope is opened by the flap opening mechanism, the position of the envelope is prevented from being displaced by a roller or the like so that the position of the envelope does not shift.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. In the electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, since the envelope is discharged onto the paper discharge tray by the flap opening mechanism in a state where the flap is opened, rollers or the like are provided in a portion where the paper surfaces overlap each other when the flap is closed. It is easy to slip when touching, but since such a thing disappears, the occurrence of wrinkles is suppressed and the flap of the envelope after discharge is in the open state, so open the flap when inserting letters etc. into it This saves time and effort for post-processing.

In the electrophotographic apparatus according to the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the flap is opened after the image is fixed on the paper surface, so that the envelope can be easily transported and the image shift occurs. Is less likely to occur.

In the electrophotographic apparatus of claim 3, since the image is transferred after the flap of the envelope is opened, wrinkles are less likely to occur in addition to the effect of claim 1, and transfer gaps and image misalignment are almost eliminated. It will disappear.

In the electrophotographic apparatus according to the fourth aspect, since the flap of the envelope is opened before the sheet is fed, in addition to the effect of the third aspect, it is possible to further reduce the occurrence of wrinkles, transfer marks, and image shift. If the paper feed unit is of a cassette type and can be freely attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, it can be attached to the detachable paper feed unit without providing a flap opening mechanism in the main body of the apparatus. Therefore, it can be applied to the electrophotographic apparatus which has been used conventionally.

Further, since the length of the envelope in the paper feeding direction becomes longer by opening the flap, when the envelope is set in that direction, the total length of the envelope becomes longer by the amount of the flap. Even small-sized envelopes that could not be fed up to now can be fed, increasing the types of envelopes that can be fed.

In the electrophotographic apparatus of claim 5, since the envelope with the flap opened on the bypass tray can be positioned and fed without shifting the center position of the envelope, wrinkles can be prevented. It is possible to eliminate transfer gaps and image misalignment, and to prevent misalignment of the image with respect to the envelope.

According to the sixth aspect of the electrophotographic apparatus, even if the envelope is discharged onto the discharge tray with the flap open,
When the paper is completely ejected, the flaps of the envelope are higher than the bottom of the envelope.Therefore, the flaps that are ejected in the open state may be closed, or the flaps may be stuck in a misaligned state on the ejection tray. Disappear.

In the electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 7, when the image to be printed on the back surface of the envelope is applied to the flap, the flap located downstream of the image transfer portion is conveyed by the flap opening mechanism selecting means by automatic or manual operation. Only the opening mechanism can be operated to open the flap after image transfer, so by printing the image on the back side of the envelope with the flap closed, it is possible to prevent part of the image from being hidden by the flap and missing. it can.

In the electrophotographic apparatus according to the eighth and ninth aspects, the flap can be opened before transferring the image by the flap opening mechanism, so that the flap is opened and the surface of the envelope is less likely to cause wrinkles. A clear image can be printed by passing the paper only once.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a main part of an electrophotographic apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a copying machine as the electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an envelope which can also be used in the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of a flap opening mechanism for opening the flap of the envelope.

5 is an explanatory view showing a mounting posture of a paper discharge tray in the copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 5, showing the vicinity of the discharge portion of the electrophotographic apparatus in which the discharge tray is also mounted in a different mounting posture.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing, in a partial cross section, the vicinity of a paper discharge portion of the electrophotographic apparatus in which the paper discharge tray is attached with the tray surface inclined with respect to the axis of the paper discharge roller.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the same.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a main part of an embodiment in which a flap opening mechanism is provided on the upstream side of conveyance of an image transfer section.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a main part of an embodiment in which a flap opening mechanism is provided in a paper feeding unit.

FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a copying machine as an electrophotographic apparatus capable of transferring an image to an envelope set with a flap open without shifting the position of the image.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a manual feed tray and an envelope which are also provided in the copying machine.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a manual feed tray to which a flap pressing member for pressing an opened flap is added.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment in which a flap opening mechanism is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the image transfer unit for transporting and selectively actuates it.

15 is a block diagram showing a microcomputer 60 for selectively operating the flap opening mechanism of FIG. 14 and its related configuration.

16 is a flowchart showing the judgment and processing executed by the microcomputer 60 of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing only a main part of an embodiment in which a flap opening mechanism is provided on an upper side of a conveyance path of an upper conveyance electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing only a main part of an embodiment in which a flap opening mechanism is provided below a conveyance path of an electrophotographic apparatus of lower conveyance.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the center line of the envelope and the center line of the tray are displaced when the bottom of the envelope and the both side edges of the flap in the opened state are regulated by a pair of side fences. is there.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the flap set upward is not opened in the case of an apparatus in which a mechanism for opening the flap is provided below the transport path.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Copying Machine Main Body 8 Transfer Charger (Image Transfer Section) 10 Conveyance Path 15 Conveyance Path 16 Paper Ejection Tray 17 Paper Feeding Section 20, 20A, 20B, 20C Flap Opening Mechanism 21 Fixing Device 22 Paper Ejection Roller 32 Manual Feed Tray 33, 34 Tray 35 Side fence 36 Mark 60 Microcomputer (Flap opening mechanism selection means) Pf Envelope Lbe Flap fold line fa Flap fb Envelope bottom

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Kaneko 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeru Watanabe 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks Inside the Ricoh Company (72) Kenji Kashijima 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Company Ltd. (72) Inventor Jun Shinozaki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Company ( 72) Inventor Shizuo Kawamura 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic apparatus capable of forming an image on an envelope having a flap and ejecting the image onto a sheet ejection tray, wherein a flap opening mechanism for opening the flap of the envelope in a state where the flap is closed is provided with the sheet ejection tray. An electrophotographic apparatus characterized in that it is provided on the upstream side of conveyance. 2. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1,
An electrophotographic apparatus, wherein the flap opening mechanism is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance of the fixing device. 3. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1,
An electrophotographic apparatus, wherein the flap opening mechanism is provided on the upstream side of conveyance of an image transfer section. 4. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1,
An electrophotographic apparatus, wherein the flap opening mechanism is provided in a paper feed section for feeding envelopes. 5. In an electrophotographic apparatus capable of forming an image on an envelope having a flap and ejecting the image onto a sheet ejection tray, manual bypass trays for setting the envelope at the time of sheet feeding approach each other in a sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction. -A pair of separable trays is provided, and one side of the tray is provided with a side fence that regulates the position of the side edge of the envelope set on the opposite side of the flap, and the flap is provided on the upper surface of the other tray. An electrophotographic apparatus, wherein a mark for aligning a flap bending line of the envelope is provided at a position symmetrical to the side fence with respect to the center line of the closed envelope. 6. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flap of the envelope ejected to the tray is located at a position higher than the bottom of the envelope opposite to the flap. An electrophotographic apparatus, which is arranged so as to be inclined. 7. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The flap opening mechanism is provided on each of the upstream side and the downstream side of the conveyance of the image transfer section, and the flap opening mechanism selecting means for selectively operating one of the flap opening mechanism on the upstream side and the downstream side of the conveyance is provided. An electrophotographic device characterized in that 8. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an image transfer section and a transfer path are configured to transfer the envelope to the upper side of the photoconductor and transfer the image to the lower surface side of the envelope, An electrophotographic apparatus, characterized in that a flap opening mechanism is provided above the transport path. 9. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image transfer unit and the transport path are configured to transport the envelope to the lower side of the photoconductor and transfer the image to the upper side of the envelope. An electrophotographic apparatus, characterized in that a flap opening mechanism is provided below the transport path.