Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the application of load to sheet media when a tray with a receiving portion is pulled out of a housing. A paper feed tray (1) capable of being loaded and unloaded relative to the housing (100a) of a printer (100) has a roll paper receiving portion (11) and a cutting paper receiving portion (12). A conveying mechanism (3) includes: roll paper feed rollers (14, 15) that feed paper (P) from the roll paper receiving portion; a cutting paper feed roller (3a) that feeds paper from the cutting paper receiving portion; and an intermediate roller pair (3b) disposed on a conveying path (C) between the roll paper feed roller or the cutting paper feed roller and a head (5). The intermediate roller pair is supported on the housing and configured to clamp the paper. A cutter (4a) cuts the paper at a predetermined position (Cx) on the conveying path (between the roll paper feed roller or the cutting paper feed roller and the intermediate roller pair).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a cutter for cutting sheet-like media. Background Technology

[0002] An image forming apparatus is known that forms an image while conveying sheet-like media such as paper, cloth, or labels along a conveying path in a conveying direction. This image forming apparatus includes a cutter for cutting the sheet-like media. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus comprising: a roll paper storage section (receiving section); an image forming section; a sheet conveying section (conveyor mechanism) for conveying sheet-like media from the roll paper storage section along a conveying path; and a cutter for cutting the sheet-like media downstream of the conveying path of the image forming section. The sheet conveying section (conveyor mechanism) includes: a feed roller pair (feed rollers) for feeding the sheet-like media from the roll paper storage section; and a positioning roller and a positioning pressure roller pair (intermediate roller pair) disposed upstream of the conveying path of the image forming section.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-86235 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] For example, in the structure of Patent Document 1, the receiving part is considered to be provided on a tray that can be loaded and unloaded relative to the housing of the image forming apparatus. In Patent Document 1, since the cutter is located downstream of the conveying path of the positioning roller and the positioning pressure roller (intermediate roller pair), after being cut by the cutter, the portion of the sheet medium with the front end formed by the cutter (the portion upstream of the cutter in the conveying direction) is clamped by the positioning roller and the positioning pressure roller (intermediate roller pair). In this state, if the tray is pulled out of the housing, a load is applied to the sheet medium, and the sheet medium may break.

[0008] At the same time, for example, when loading and unloading the tray (receiving section) containing the roll body relative to the housing of the image forming apparatus, in order to prevent the front end of the sheet-like medium unwound from the roll body and cut by the cutter from contacting the housing and bending, sometimes the front end portion is rolled back into the receiving section before the loading and unloading. In this case, in a structure such as Patent Document 1, where the cutter is located downstream of the transport path of the image forming section (a predetermined position of the transport path), since the length from the receiving section to the predetermined position is relatively long, the amount of rewinding is greater, and the rewinding takes time.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can suppress the application of load to the sheet medium when pulling out a tray with a receiving portion from a housing. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the amount of sheet medium rewinding, thereby reducing the time spent on rewinding.

[0010] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0011] The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises: a housing; a tray detachable from the housing and having a receiving portion for receiving a sheet medium; an image forming portion for forming an image on the sheet medium; a conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet medium from the receiving portion along a conveying path in a conveying direction; and a cutter for cutting the sheet medium at a predetermined position on the conveying path. The conveying mechanism includes: a feed roller for feeding the sheet medium from the receiving portion; and an intermediate roller pair disposed on the conveying path between the feed roller and the image forming portion. The intermediate roller pair is supported by the housing and configured to clamp the sheet medium. The predetermined position is located on the conveying path between the feed roller and the intermediate roller pair.

[0012] The image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a receiving section capable of receiving a sheet-like medium; an image forming section for forming an image on the sheet-like medium; a conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet-like medium from the receiving section along a conveying path in a conveying direction; and a cutter for cutting the sheet-like medium at a predetermined position on the conveying path. The receiving section is capable of receiving a roll formed by winding the sheet-like medium into a cylindrical shape. The conveying mechanism includes: a feed roller for feeding the sheet-like medium from the receiving section; an intermediate roller disposed on the conveying path between the feed roller and the image forming section; and a conveying roller disposed on the conveying path between the intermediate roller and the image forming section. The predetermined position is located on the conveying path between the feed roller and the intermediate roller.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, the cutter is configured to cut the sheet-like medium at a predetermined position between the feed roller and the intermediate roller pair on the conveying path. Therefore, after cutting with the cutter, the portion of the sheet-like medium with a front end formed by the cutter (the portion upstream in the conveying direction from the predetermined position) is not clamped by the intermediate roller pair. Thus, it is possible to suppress the application of load to the sheet-like medium when pulling the tray out of the housing.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the cutter is configured to cut the sheet-like medium at a predetermined position between the feed roller and the intermediate roller on the conveying path. In this case, since the length from the receiving section to the predetermined position is relatively short, the amount of sheet-like medium rewinding can be reduced, thereby reducing the time spent on rewinding. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It means in Figure 1 A diagram showing the overall structure of a printer where the roll of paper has been removed and the cut paper has been contained.

[0018] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cutting and scanning mechanisms included in the printer.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of region IV is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 This is an overall structural diagram of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] [First Implementation Method]

[0022] <Overall Structure of the Printer>

[0023] First, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The overall structure of the printer 100 (image forming apparatus) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, the following will be explained: Figure 1 and Figure 2 The up-down and back-forward directions shown are set as the up-down and back-forward directions of printer 100.

[0024] The printer 100 includes a housing 100a, a paper feed tray 1, a conveying mechanism 3, a cutter mechanism 4, a head 5, a paper discharge tray 6, and a control unit 10. The paper feed tray 1, equivalent to the "tray" of this invention, has a box shape with an upward opening and can be loaded and unloaded relative to the lower part of the housing 100a. The paper feed tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a by moving it in a rear-to-forward direction relative to the housing 100a, and is installed on the housing 100a by moving it in a front-to-rear direction relative to the housing 100a. The paper discharge tray 6 is formed by the front side wall of the upper part of the housing 100a and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 100a.

[0025] Paper supply tray 1 is equipped with a device for holding rolls of paper R (see reference). Figure 1 The roll paper receiving section 11 and the paper cutter Pc (see reference) are also included. Figure 2 The paper cutting receiving section 12 is a paper roll receiving section. The paper roll receiving section 11 corresponds to the "first receiving section" of the present invention, and the paper cutting receiving section 12 corresponds to the "second receiving section" of the present invention. The paper roll receiving section 11 and the paper cutting receiving section 12 together constitute the "receiving section" of the present invention.

[0026] Paper roll R (refer to) Figure 1 The paper roll (the "sheet medium" of the present invention) is formed by winding a strip of paper P (the "sheet medium" of the present invention) into a roll shape on the outer periphery of the cylindrical core component Rc, which is equivalent to the "roll body" of the present invention. The paper roll R is housed in the paper roll housing section 11 with its rotation axis Rx (the central axis of the core component Rc) in a direction orthogonal to the vertical and horizontal directions and the front and back directions (the "scanning direction" described later, which is the width direction of the paper P).

[0027] The roll paper receiving section 11 has a recess 11x for receiving roll paper R. Two roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 constituting the conveying mechanism 3 are provided at the bottom of the recess 11x. The two roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 are respectively rotatable about axes 14a and 15a extending in the scanning direction. When the roll paper P is received in the recess 11x, the outer peripheral surface of its lower portion is supported by the two roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15.

[0028] The roll paper receiving section 11 also has an opening 11y communicating with the recess 11x and extending in the vertical direction, and a groove 11z communicating with the opening 11y and extending in the front-back direction. Both the opening 11y and the groove 11z are open on the bottom surface of the roll paper receiving section 11. The paper P unwound from the roll paper R passes through the opening 11y and the groove 11z and is conveyed toward the head 5.

[0029] Paper cutting PC (reference) Figure 2 The paper P (the "sheet medium" of the present invention) is a sheet of paper whose length in the conveying direction A is shorter than the paper constituting the roll paper R and longer than the length of the paper Pc in the conveying path C from the cutting paper feed roller 3a to the intermediate roller pair 3b (described later). The cutting paper receiving section 12 is the space behind the roll paper receiving section 11 in the paper supply tray 1, which can receive multiple sheets of cutting paper Pc stacked in the vertical direction.

[0030] Additionally, in printer 100, when using roll paper R, the cutting paper Pc is removed from the cutting paper receiving section 12 (see reference). Figure 1 When using the paper cutter Pc, remove the paper roll R from the paper roll receiving section 11 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0031] The conveying mechanism 3 is configured to selectively convey paper P from the roll paper receiving section 11 and the cutting paper receiving section 12. It includes roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15, cutting paper feed roller 3a, intermediate roller pair 3b, conveying roller pair 3c, discharge roller pair 3d, and guides 7 and 9. Through the conveying mechanism 3, paper P is conveyed from either the roll paper receiving section 11 or the cutting paper receiving section 12 along a conveying path C that passes under the head 5 from the receiving section 11 and 12 and toward the discharge tray 6 in the conveying direction A.

[0032] The roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 are located at the bottom of the roll paper receiving section 11. The cutting paper feed roller 3a is located above the cutting paper receiving section 12 and is disposed on the transport path C between the roll paper receiving section 11 and the head 5. The intermediate roller pair 3b is disposed on the transport path C between the cutting paper feed roller 3a and the head 5. The conveyor roller pair 3c is disposed on the transport path C between the intermediate roller pair 3b and the head 5. The discharge roller pair 3d is disposed on the transport path C between the head 5 and the discharge tray 6.

[0033] The paper cutting feed roller 3a is supported at the front end of the arm 3y. The arm 3y is rotatably supported on the support shaft 3x. The paper cutting feed roller 3a is driven by the arm drive motor (not shown) under the control of the control unit 10, and the arm 3y rotates around the support shaft 3x, thereby enabling selective cutting. Figure 1 The retreat position shown and Figure 2 The feed position is shown. The paper cutting feed roller 3a is located at... Figure 2 When the feed position is shown, force is applied to bring it close to the bottom surface of the paper feed tray 1.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, with the roll paper R housed in the roll paper housing section 11 and the paper cutting feed roller 3a in the retracted position, the paper feeding motor (not shown) is driven by the control section 10. When the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 rotate, the roll paper R rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the paper P unwound from the roll paper R is fed toward the intermediate roller pair 3b (in the direction from front to back).

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, with the cutting paper Pc housed in the cutting paper receiving section 12 and the cutting paper feed roller 3a in the feed position, the paper feeding motor (not shown) is driven by the control section 10. When the cutting paper feed roller 3a rotates, the uppermost cutting paper Pc among the multiple cutting papers Pc housed in the cutting paper receiving section 12 is fed toward the middle roller pair 3b (in the direction from front to back).

[0036] The intermediate roller pair 3b, the conveyor roller pair 3c, and the paper discharge roller pair 3d are each composed of two drive rollers that rotate under the drive of a conveyor motor (not shown). The conveyor motor (not shown) is driven by the control unit 10, and the intermediate roller pair 3b, the conveyor roller pair 3c, and the paper discharge roller pair 3d rotate while clamping (locking) the paper P, so that the paper P is conveyed along the conveying path C in the conveying direction A.

[0037] The intermediate roller pair 3b, the conveyor roller pair 3c, and the paper discharge roller pair 3d are supported on the housing 100a. On the other hand, the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 and the cutting paper feed roller 3a are supported on the paper supply tray 1.

[0038] The conveying direction A is configured to reverse between the intermediate roller pair 3b and the conveyor roller pair 3c. In the first embodiment, the forward and backward components of the conveying direction A are opposite in the portion of the conveying path C from the receiving parts 11, 12 to the intermediate roller pair 3b and the portion of the conveying path C from the conveyor roller pair 3c to the paper discharge tray 6.

[0039] The guide 7 is positioned on the transport path C between the paper cutting feed roller 3a and the intermediate roller pair 3b, guiding the paper P fed by the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 or the paper cutting feed roller 3a towards the intermediate roller pair 3b. The guide 7 is formed by the rear side wall of the paper supply tray 1 and is tilted upwards as it moves from front to back. Small, repetitive protrusions 7x are formed on the surface of the guide 7 (the surface defining the transport path C) along the transport direction A. These protrusions 7x prevent overlapping transport (the phenomenon of multiple sheets of paper cutting Pc being transported in an overlapping state).

[0040] The guide 9 is positioned on the conveying path C between the intermediate roller pair 3b and the conveyor roller pair 3c, guiding the paper P conveyed by the intermediate roller pair 3b towards the conveyor roller pair 3c. The guide 9 consists of a pair of path components 9a and 9b configured to sandwich the conveying path C.

[0041] The cutter mechanism 4 is configured to cut paper P (paper P unwound from the roll paper R) between the guide 7 and the intermediate roller pair 3b on the transport path C (at a predetermined position Cx). It includes a cutter 4a, a cutter unit 4b on which the cutter 4a is mounted, and a holder 4c that holds the cutter unit 4b. The cutter mechanism 4 can reciprocate in the scanning direction (the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A at the predetermined position Cx) via the scanning mechanism 2 (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0042] Additionally, the conveying path C includes a straight section Cs between the paper cutting feed roller 3a and the intermediate roller pair 3b. A predetermined position Cx for configuring the cutter mechanism 4 is located within this straight section Cs.

[0043] The cutter 4a consists of a pair of rotating blades 4a1 and 4a2 configured to sandwich a conveying path C. The rotating blades 4a1 and 4a2 are orthogonal to the conveying path C and have overlapping portions. Specifically, in the pair of rotating blades 4a1 and 4a2, rotating blade 4a1 is positioned downstream of the conveying direction A, and rotating blade 4a2 is positioned upstream of the conveying direction A. These rotating blades 4a1 and 4a2 have overlapping portions in the conveying direction A.

[0044] The cutter unit 4b supports a pair of rotating blades 4a1 and 4a2 in a rotatable manner. The retainer 4c is a box-shaped component that holds the cutter unit 4b from the outside.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the scanning mechanism 2 includes: a pair of pulleys 2a and 2b separated from each other in the scanning direction; a belt 2c wound around the pair of pulleys 2a and 2b and fixed with a retainer 4c; and a cutting motor (not shown). When the cutting motor is driven by the control unit 10, the belt 2c moves in the scanning direction, and the retainer 4c and the cutter unit 4b held in the retainer 4c (i.e., the entire cutting mechanism 4 including the cutter 4a) move from the standby position D outside the transport path C to inside the transport path C. At this time, the rotating blades 4a1 and 4a2 rotate by the drive of the cutting motor. The paper P unwound from the roll paper R is cut by the cutter 4a in the width direction of the paper P at a predetermined position Cx.

[0046] The cutter mechanism 4 and the scanning mechanism 2 are supported on the housing 100a.

[0047] The head 5 is positioned on the transport path C between the transport roller pair 3c and the paper discharge roller pair 3d. The head 5 corresponds to the "image forming unit" of this invention, including a plurality of nozzles (not shown) formed on its lower surface and a driver IC. When the driver IC is driven under the control of the control unit 10, ink is ejected from the nozzles, and an image is formed on the paper P transported by the transport mechanism 3 as it passes a position opposite to the lower surface of the head 5. Furthermore, the head 5 can be either a linear type where ink is ejected from the nozzles in a fixed position, or a vertical type where ink is ejected from the nozzles while moving in the scanning direction.

[0048] The paper P, which forms an image from the head 5, is received by the paper tray 6, which is in an open state relative to the housing 100a.

[0049] The control unit 10 is connected to the paper feed motor, conveyor motor, cut-off motor, and driver IC via an internal bus (not shown). The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores programs and data used by the CPU for various control operations. The RAM temporarily stores data used by the CPU when executing programs.

[0050] <Structure and Effects of the First Embodiment>

[0051] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the cutter 4a is configured to cut paper P at a predetermined position Cx between the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 or the cutting paper feed roller 3a and the intermediate roller pair 3b on the transport path C (see reference). Figure 1 and Figure 2 Therefore, after being cut by the cutter 4a, the portion of the paper P with the front end formed by the cutter 4a (the portion upstream in the conveying direction from the predetermined position Cx) is not clamped by the intermediate roller pair 3b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the application of load to the paper P when the paper supply tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a.

[0052] Paper supply tray 1 has a roll paper receiving section 11 (see reference) Figure 1 Since the paper P unwound from the roll paper R is relatively long, it is usually necessary to cut it using the cutter 4a. Furthermore, when the feed tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a with the roll paper R housed in the roll paper housing 11, the relative movement between the portion of the paper P housed in the roll paper housing 11 and the portion clamped by the intermediate roller pair 3b causes a large load on the paper P. In this case, by applying the present invention (i.e., configuring the cutter 4a to cut the paper P at a predetermined position Cx between the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 and the intermediate roller pair 3b on the transport path C), the load on the paper P when the feed tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a can be suppressed.

[0053] Paper supply tray 1 has a paper cutting and receiving section 12 (see reference) Figure 2The length of the paper cutter Pc housed in the paper cutting receiving section 12 in the transport direction A is longer than the length from the paper cutting feed roller 3a to the intermediate roller pair 3b in the transport path C. When the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a, a large load is applied between the portion of the paper cutter Pc pressed by the paper cutting feed roller 3a and the portion clamped by the intermediate roller pair 3b. In this case, by applying the present invention (i.e., configuring the cutter 4a to cut the paper P at a predetermined position Cx between the paper cutting feed roller 3a and the intermediate roller pair 3b in the transport path C), the load applied to the paper P when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a can be suppressed.

[0054] The paper supply tray 1 has a roll paper receiving section 11 and a cutting paper receiving section 12, and the conveying mechanism 3 is configured to selectively convey paper P (see reference) from the roll paper receiving section 11 and the cutting paper receiving section 12. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this case, it is possible to selectively use roll paper R and cut paper Pc.

[0055] The roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 and the cutting paper feed roller 3a are supported on the paper feed tray 1. In this case, for the roll paper R, when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a, a large load is applied to the paper P due to the relative movement between the portion of the paper P supported by the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 and the portion clamped by the intermediate roller pair 3b. For the cutting paper Pc, when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a, a large load is applied to the paper P due to the relative movement between the portion of the paper P supported by the cutting paper feed roller 3a and the portion clamped by the intermediate roller pair 3b. In this case, by applying the present invention (i.e., configuring the cutter 4a to cut the paper P at a predetermined position Cx between the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 or the cutting paper feed roller 3a and the intermediate roller pair 3b on the transport path C), the load applied to the paper P when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a can be suppressed.

[0056] The paper feed tray 1 can be pulled out of the housing 100a in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the paper P fed by the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 and the cutting paper feed roller 3a. In this case, if the paper P is clamped by the intermediate roller pair 3b when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a, a tensile force will be applied to the paper P, and the paper P is prone to breakage. In this case, by applying the present invention (i.e., configuring the cutter 4a to cut the paper P at a predetermined position Cx between the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 or the cutting paper feed roller 3a and the intermediate roller pair 3b on the transport path C), the breakage of the paper P when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a can be suppressed.

[0057] The intermediate roller pair 3b consists of two drive rollers that rotate under the drive of a conveyor motor (not shown). In this case, the intermediate roller pair 3b exerts a large clamping force on the paper P. When the paper tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a, if the paper P is clamped by the intermediate roller pair 3b, a large load will be applied to the paper P, and the paper P is prone to breakage. In this case, by applying the present invention (i.e., configuring the cutter 4a to cut the paper P at a predetermined position Cx between the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 or the cutting paper feed roller 3a and the intermediate roller pair 3b on the conveying path C), it is possible to suppress the breakage of the paper P when the paper tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a.

[0058] [Second Implementation]

[0059] The second embodiment will now be described. In the second embodiment, the transport mechanism 3' in the printer 100' may selectively transport paper P from neither the roll paper receiving section 11 nor the paper cutting receiving section 12. In other words, the printer 100' may not have the paper cutting receiving section 12, but may only have the roll paper receiving section 11, and the transport mechanism 3' may transport paper P solely from the roll paper receiving section 11. In the second embodiment, parts that are substantially the same as or similar to those described in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions are omitted.

[0060] Reference Figure 5 The overall structure of the printer 100' (image forming apparatus) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, Figure 5 The up-down and back-forward directions shown are set as the up-down and back-forward directions of printer 100'.

[0061] The printer 100' includes a housing 100a, a paper feed tray 1', a conveying mechanism 3', a cutter mechanism 4, a head 5, a paper discharge tray 6, and a control unit 10. The paper feed tray 1', equivalent to the "tray" of this invention, has a box shape with an upward opening and can be loaded and unloaded relative to the lower part of the housing 100a. The paper discharge tray 6 is formed by the front side wall of the upper part of the housing 100a and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 100a.

[0062] The paper supply tray 1' is provided with a paper roll receiving section 11 capable of receiving paper rolls R. The paper roll receiving section 11 is equivalent to the "receiving section" of the present invention.

[0063] The conveying mechanism 3' is configured to convey paper P from the roll paper receiving section 11, and includes a feed roller 3a', an intermediate roller pair 3b', a conveyor roller pair 3c', a discharge roller pair 3d', and guides 7' and 9. Through the conveying mechanism 3', the paper P is conveyed in the conveying direction A along the conveying path C from the roll paper receiving section 11, passing below the head 5 and toward the discharge tray 6.

[0064] Feed roller 3a' is positioned on the conveying path C between the roll receiving section 11 and the head 5. Intermediate roller pair 3b' is positioned on the conveying path C between the feed roller 3a' and the head 5. Conveyor roller pair 3c' is positioned on the conveying path C between the intermediate roller pair 3b' and the head 5. Paper discharge roller pair 3d' is positioned on the conveying path C between the head 5 and the paper discharge tray 6.

[0065] The feed roller 3a' is supported at the front end of the arm 3y'. The arm 3y' is rotatably supported by the support shaft 3x' and is subjected to force to bring the feed roller 3a' close to the bottom surface of the paper supply tray 1'. Figure 5 As shown, with the roll paper R housed in the roll paper housing section 11, the paper feed motor (not shown) is driven by the control section 10. When the feed roller 3a' rotates, the roll paper R rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the paper P unwound from the roll paper R is fed toward the intermediate roller pair 3b'.

[0066] The intermediate roller pair 3b', conveyor roller pair 3c', and paper discharge roller pair 3d' each include a drive roller that rotates under the drive of a conveyor motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates in conjunction with the drive roller. The conveyor motor (not shown) is driven by the control unit 10, and the intermediate roller pair 3b', conveyor roller pair 3c', and paper discharge roller pair 3d' rotate while holding the paper P, thereby conveying the paper P along the conveying path C in the conveying direction A.

[0067] The conveying direction A is configured to reverse between the intermediate roller pair 3b' and the conveyor roller pair 3c'. In the second embodiment, the forward and backward components of the conveying direction A are opposite in the portion of the conveying path C from the roll paper receiving section 11 to the intermediate roller pair 3b' and the portion of the conveying path C from the conveyor roller pair 3c' to the paper discharge tray 6.

[0068] The guide 7' is positioned on the conveying path C between the feed roller 3a' and the intermediate roller pair 3b', guiding the paper P fed by the feed roller 3a' towards the intermediate roller pair 3b'. The guide 7' is formed by the rear side wall of the paper supply tray 1' and is tilted upwards as it moves from front to back.

[0069] Additionally, the conveying path C includes a straight section Cs between the feed roller 3a' and the intermediate roller pair 3b'. A predetermined position Cx for configuring the cutter mechanism 4 is located within this straight section Cs.

[0070] <Structure and Effects of the Second Embodiment>

[0071] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the cutter 4a is configured to cut the paper P at a predetermined position Cx between the feed roller 3a' and the intermediate roller pair 3b' on the transport path C (see reference). Figure 5 In this case, since the length from the roll paper receiving section 11 to the predetermined position Cx is relatively short, the amount of paper P that can be rolled back can be reduced, thereby reducing the time spent on rolling back.

[0072] Printer 100' includes: a paper supply tray 1', including a roll paper receiving section 11; and a housing 100a, the paper supply tray 1' being detachable relative to the housing 100a (see reference). Figure 5 In this case, when loading and unloading the paper feed tray 1' relative to the housing 100a, in order to prevent the leading edge of the paper P, which is unwound from the roll paper R and cut by the cutter 4a, from contacting the housing 100a and bending, the leading edge portion is wound back into the paper feed tray 1' before the loading and unloading. This reduces the amount of winding and thus the time spent on winding. Furthermore, it reduces the user's waiting time (the time spent waiting until the winding is complete without loading and unloading).

[0073] Conveying direction A is configured to reverse between intermediate roller pair 3b' and conveyor roller pair 3c' (see reference). Figure 5 The area between the feed roller 3a' and the intermediate roller pair 3b' on the conveying path C is a position where the load on the paper P is relatively small before the conveying direction A is reversed. By cutting at this position Cx using the cutter 4a, cutting accuracy can be ensured.

[0074] The conveying path C includes a straight section Cs between the feed roller 3a' and the intermediate roller pair 3b'. A predetermined position Cx is located within this straight section Cs (see reference). Figure 5 The straight section Cs exerts less load on the paper P compared to the curved section. By cutting at this position Cx using the cutter 4a, cutting accuracy can be ensured more reliably.

[0075] Cutter 4a includes blades (rotating blades 4a1, 4a2) configured orthogonally to the transport path C (see reference). Figure 3 In this case, cutting accuracy can be ensured more reliably.

[0076] The predetermined position Cx where the cutter 4a is located is a position where, even if the cutter 4a and the mechanism driving it (in the second embodiment, the scanning mechanism 2) are configured, the printer 100' is not easily enlarged before the conveying direction A is reversed. For example, if the cutter 4a is located near the head 5 after the conveying direction A is reversed, various components (in...) are arranged around the head 5. Figure 5(Illustrations omitted in the text), therefore, a dedicated space is needed for configuring the cutter 4a and the mechanism driving the cutter 4a (space without the aforementioned components), resulting in an enlarged printer 100'. In this regard, in the second embodiment, by setting the cutter 4a at a predetermined position Cx before the transport direction A is reversed, the enlargement of the printer 100' can be suppressed.

[0077] <Variation Example>

[0078] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various design changes can be made as long as they are within the scope of the claims.

[0079] The cutter in the above embodiments consists of a pair of rotating blades, but is not limited to this. For example, it may also consist of a single rotating blade, a single fixed blade, etc.

[0080] The conveying mechanism may also convey sheet media separately from the cutting paper receiving section, instead of having to convey sheet media from the roll paper receiving section.

[0081] In the first embodiment, the roll paper feed roller and the cutting paper feed roller, and in the second embodiment, the feed roller is not limited to being supported on the paper supply tray, but can also be supported on the housing.

[0082] In the first embodiment, the intermediate roller pair is not limited to being composed of two drive rollers, but may also be composed of a drive roller and a driven roller.

[0083] The paper supply tray can also be used with Figure 1 and Figure 5 The paper is pulled out of the shell in a direction orthogonal to the shell and separated from the shell.

[0084] In the first embodiment, the guide disposed between the paper cutting feed roller and the predetermined position on the transport path may also have no unevenness formed on the surface defining the transport path, which is the same as the guide in the second embodiment. Alternatively, in both the first and second embodiments, the guide may not be provided between the paper cutting feed roller on the transport path or between the feed roller and the predetermined position.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the forward and backward components of the conveying direction are reversed between the intermediate roller pair and the conveying roller pair, but it can also be the up and down components of the conveying direction that are reversed.

[0086] The conveying direction can also be kept in the same way between the intermediate roller pair and the conveyor roller pair.

[0087] The cutter can also be placed on the curved part of the conveyor path instead of the straight part.

[0088] In the second embodiment without a paper cutting receiving section, the roll paper receiving section is not limited to a paper supply tray that can be loaded and unloaded relative to the housing; for example, it can also be provided within the housing. Even in this case, the leading edge portion of the sheet medium that has been unwound from the roll and cut by the cutter can be wound back into the roll paper receiving section. In this case, by applying the present invention, the amount of sheet medium wound back can be reduced, thereby reducing the time spent on winding back.

[0089] Sheet media are not limited to paper; for example, they can also be cloth, resin components, etc.

[0090] The image forming unit can also eject liquids other than ink (e.g., processing liquids that cause components in the ink to clump or precipitate). Furthermore, the image forming unit is not limited to liquid ejection methods; it can also be a laser method, a thermal transfer method, etc.

[0091] This invention is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to fax machines, copiers, multifunction printers, etc.

[0092] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0093] 1. Paper supply tray (pallet)

[0094] 1' Paper supply tray (pallet)

[0095] 3 Conveying mechanism

[0096] 3a Paper cutting feed roller (feed roller)

[0097] 3b Intermediate Roll Pair

[0098] 3' Conveying mechanism

[0099] 3a' Feed roller

[0100] 3b' intermediate roll pair

[0101] 3c' Conveyor Roller Pair

[0102] 4a Cutter

[0103] 4a1, 4a2 Rotary Blades

[0104] 5 heads (image forming unit)

[0105] 7' Guide

[0106] 11. Toilet Paper Reception Department (Reception Department, First Reception Department)

[0107] 12. Paper Cutting Containment Department (Containment Department, Second Containment Department)

[0108] 14, 15. Roll paper feed rollers (feed rollers)

[0109] 100 Printer (Image Forming Device)

[0110] 100' Printer (Image Forming Device)

[0111] 100a housing

[0112] A Conveying direction

[0113] C Conveying Path

[0114] Cs linear portion

[0115] Cx reservation

[0116] P Paper (sheet media)

[0117] R. Roll paper (roll body)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: a housing; a tray capable of being attached to and detached from the housing, and having a storage portion capable of storing a sheet-shaped medium; an image forming portion that forms an image on the sheet-shaped medium; a conveying mechanism that conveys the sheet-shaped medium from the storage portion along a conveying path in a conveying direction; a cutter that cuts the sheet-shaped medium at a predetermined position on the conveying path, the conveying mechanism includes: a feed roller that feeds out the sheet-shaped medium from the storage portion; a guide member that is disposed between the feed roller and the image forming portion on the conveying path; and an intermediate roller pair that is disposed between the guide member and the image forming portion on the conveying path, the intermediate roller pair is supported by the housing and is configured to pinch the sheet-shaped medium, the predetermined position is located between the feed roller and the intermediate roller pair on the conveying path, the guide member is composed of a side wall of the tray in one of orthogonal directions orthogonal to a vertical direction, and is inclined in a manner that is located above as it goes from the other of the orthogonal directions toward one of the orthogonal directions, the cutter is inclined in a direction that intersects the guide member in a manner that is located below as it goes from the other of the orthogonal directions toward one of the orthogonal directions.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage portion includes a first storage portion that is capable of storing a roll body in which the sheet-shaped medium is wound in a roll shape.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage portion includes a second storage portion that is capable of storing a plurality of sheet-shaped media that are stacked, and each of the sheet-shaped media is longer in the conveying direction than a length on the conveying path up to the intermediate roller pair from the feed roller.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage portion includes a first storage portion that is capable of storing a roll body in which the sheet-shaped medium is wound in a roll shape, and a second storage portion that is capable of storing a plurality of sheet-shaped media that are stacked, and each of the sheet-shaped media is longer in the conveying direction than a length on the conveying path up to the intermediate roller pair from the feed roller, the conveying mechanism selectively conveys the sheet-shaped medium from the first storage portion and the second storage portion.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the feed roller is supported by the tray.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tray is capable of being pulled out of the housing in a direction opposite to a feeding direction in which the sheet-shaped medium is fed out by the feed roller.

7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the intermediate roller pair is composed of two drive rollers that are rotated by driving of a motor.

8. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: a storage portion capable of storing a sheet-shaped medium; an image forming portion that forms an image on the sheet-shaped medium; a conveying mechanism that conveys the sheet-shaped medium from the storage portion along a conveying path in a conveying direction; a cutter that cuts the sheet-shaped medium at a predetermined position on the conveying path; a tray that includes the storage portion; and a housing relative to which the tray is capable of being attached to and detached from, The housing portion is capable of housing a roll body formed by winding a sheet medium into a roll shape, The conveying mechanism includes: a feeding roller that feeds the sheet medium out from the housing portion; a guide member disposed between the feeding roller and the image forming portion on the conveying path; an intermediate roller disposed between the guide member and the image forming portion on the conveying path; and a conveying roller disposed between the intermediate roller and the image forming portion on the conveying path, the predetermined position is located between the feeding roller and the intermediate roller on the conveying path, the guide member is constituted by a side wall of one of the orthogonal directions in the tray that is orthogonal to the up-down direction, and is inclined in a manner that is located above as it goes from the other of the orthogonal directions toward one of the orthogonal directions, the cutter is inclined in a manner that is located below as it goes from the other of the orthogonal directions toward one of the orthogonal directions in a direction that intersects the guide member.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the conveying path is configured to reverse between the intermediate roller and the conveying roller.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the conveying path includes a straight portion between the feeding roller and the intermediate roller, the predetermined position is located on the straight portion.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the cutter includes a blade disposed orthogonal to the conveying path.

Images