Image formation device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device that, while suppressing the complexity and enlargement of the structure, ensures that the rolled medium unwound from the roll body is reliably guided to the feeding roller.SOLUTION: The image formation device includes: a feed tray 1 having a first storage section 8 capable of storing a roll body R and a second storage section 9 capable of storing multiple cut sheets Kp stacked in the vertical direction; and a feed roller 2 that imparts conveying power to a rolled paper Rp unwound from the roll body R to send out the rolled paper Rp from the feed tray 1. In the feed tray 1, an introduction path I is provided at least between the first storage section 8 and the feed roller 2 to guide the rolled paper Rp unwound from the roll body R. The rolled paper Rp passes through an area overlapping the second storage section 9 when viewed from above and below. The introduction path I is defined by a support plate 91 that separates the cut sheets Kp stored in the second storage section 9 from the rolled paper Rp vertically.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a feeding tray capable of accommodating a roll body and a feeding tray.

Background Art

[0002] The paper feeding device (feeding mechanism) of a facsimile machine (image forming apparatus) disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a paper feeding cassette (feeding tray) provided with a placement portion for cut paper and a support portion for roll paper (roll body). That is, in such a paper feeding device, both cut paper and roll paper can be accommodated in one paper feeding cassette. Further, in the above-described paper feeding device, a pair of upper and lower conveying rollers (feeding rollers) for conveying the roll paper are provided in the vicinity of the roll paper placed on the support portion for the roll paper. The conveying roller feeds out the paper unwound from the roll paper from the paper feeding cassette.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The leading end portion of the paper unwound from a roll body in which a sheet-like medium is wound in a roll shape is curled. When the position of the conveying roller that feeds out the paper unwound from the roll body from the paper feeding cassette is far from the placement position of the roll body, it is difficult to guide the paper with the curled leading end portion to the conveying roller. In order to guide the leading end portion of the paper unwound from the roll body to the conveying roller, it is conceivable to provide one or a plurality of rollers upstream in the conveying direction from the conveying roller, but the structure of the paper feeding device becomes complicated and the paper feeding device becomes large-sized.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a feeding tray that can reliably guide a roll medium unwound from a roll body to a feeding roller while suppressing complication and enlargement of the structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a feeding tray capable of accommodating a roll body around which a sheet-like medium is wound in a roll shape, and a feeding roller that applies a conveying force to a roll medium that is a sheet-like medium unwound from the roll body and feeds out the roll medium from the feeding tray. The feeding tray has a first accommodating portion capable of accommodating the roll body, a second accommodating portion capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet-like media stacked in the vertical direction, and a path member that is located at least between the first accommodating portion and the feeding roller and defines an introduction path for guiding the roll medium unwound from the roll body. The roll medium unwound from the roll body passes through a region overlapping the second accommodating portion when viewed from the vertical direction, and the path member has a partitioning material that vertically partitions the sheet-like medium accommodated in the second accommodating portion and the roll medium unwound from the roll body.

[0007] The feeding tray of the present invention is a feeding tray that can be pulled out with respect to an image forming apparatus including a feeding roller that applies a conveying force to a roll medium that is a sheet-like medium unwound from a roll body around which a sheet-like medium is wound in a roll shape and feeds out the roll medium. The feeding tray includes a first accommodating portion capable of accommodating the roll body, a second accommodating portion capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet-like media stacked in the vertical direction, and a path member that is located at least between the first accommodating portion and a portion where the feeding roller can abut and defines an introduction path for guiding the roll medium. The roll medium passes through a region overlapping the second accommodating portion when viewed from the vertical direction, and the path member has a partitioning material that vertically partitions the sheet-like medium accommodated in the second accommodating portion and the roll medium.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the image forming apparatus and the feeding tray of the present invention, between the first accommodating portion and the feeding roller, a roll medium unwound from a roll body and having a curled tip portion can be guided through an introduction path while suppressing the curl. The introduction path is defined by a partition member that vertically partitions the cut medium accommodated in the second accommodating portion and the roll medium unwound from the roll body. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a roller or the like for guiding the tip portion of the roll medium to the feeding roller, so that the complication and enlargement of the structure can be suppressed, and the roll medium unwound from the roll body can be surely guided to the feeding roller.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The printer 100 (the image forming apparatus of the present invention) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. Note that the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction shown in FIG. 1 are defined as the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction of the printer 100.

[0011] (Overall Configuration of Printer 100) The printer 100 mainly includes a housing 100a, a feeding mechanism 3, a conveying mechanism 4, a cutter 5, a head 6, a paper discharge tray 7, and a control unit 10. The feeding mechanism 3 has a feeding tray 1, a feeding roller 2, and a separating piece 31. The feeding tray 1 is detachable from the lower part of the housing 100a. The feeding tray 1 is disposed below the head 6 within the housing 100a. The paper discharge tray 7 is in front of the head 6 within the housing 100a and is disposed above the feeding tray 1. The feeding tray 1 is insertable and removable along the front-rear direction with respect to the housing 100a through an opening 101 formed in the front wall of the housing 100a. The paper discharge tray 7 is insertable and removable along the front-rear direction with respect to the housing 100a through an opening 102 formed in the front wall of the housing 100a.

[0012] The feeding tray 1 can accommodate both the cut paper Kp and the roll body R. The feeding tray 1 has a first accommodating portion 8 capable of accommodating the roll body R and a second accommodating portion 9 capable of accommodating a plurality of cut papers Kp stacked in the vertical direction. The roll body R is formed by winding a paper longer than the cut paper Kp in a roll shape around the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical core member Rc. The width direction of the cut paper Kp and the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R within the feeding tray 1 coincides with the left-right direction.

[0013] The feeding roller 2 feeds out the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R accommodated in the first accommodating portion 8 or the cut paper Kp accommodated in the second accommodating portion 9 from the feeding tray 1. In the following description, when the cut paper Kp and the roll paper Rp are not distinguished, they are referred to as "paper P". The feeding roller 2 is pivotally supported at the tip of an arm 2a and rotates by the drive of a feeding motor (not shown). The arm 2a is rotatably supported by a support shaft 2b. The arm 2a is biased by a biasing member (not shown) so that the feeding roller 2 approaches the bottom surface of the feeding tray 1. When the feeding motor is driven under the control of the control unit 10, the feeding roller 2 rotates, and a conveying force in the direction from the front to the rear is applied to the paper P in contact with the feeding roller 2. Thereby, the paper P is fed out from the feeding tray 1. Incidentally, the arm 2a is configured to be retractable upward when the feeding tray 1 is detached from and attached to the housing 100a.

[0014] The separating piece 31 is for preventing double feeding when feeding out the cut paper Kp from the feeding tray 1. The separating piece 31 is located on the downstream side of the feeding tray 1 with respect to the conveying direction of the paper P by the feeding roller 2 (the direction from the front to the rear: hereinafter simply referred to as the "conveying direction" in the following description). The separating piece 31 is inclined such that the rear end portion is located above the front end portion. A fine uneven pattern is formed on the surface of the separating piece 31. The separating piece 31 contacts the central portion in the width direction of the cut paper Kp and separates the cut paper Kp contacting the feeding roller 2 from the other cut paper Kp. The paper P sent out from the feeding tray 1 and contacting the separating piece 31 is guided obliquely upward.

[0015] The conveying mechanism 4 has an intermediate roller pair 41, a conveying roller pair 42, a paper discharge roller pair 43, and a guide member 44. The intermediate roller pair 41 is composed of a driving roller that rotates by the drive of an intermediate motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates along with the driving roller. When the intermediate motor (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 10, the intermediate roller pair 41 rotates while sandwiching the paper P and conveys the paper P. The intermediate roller pair 41 is located above the separating piece 31. The intermediate roller pair 41 conveys the paper P obliquely upward by the separating piece 31 upward while sandwiching the paper P sent out from the feeding tray 1 by the feeding roller 2. The guide member 44 is located above the intermediate roller pair 41. The guide member 44 guides the paper P conveyed upward by the intermediate roller pair 41 forward.

[0016] The conveying roller pair 42 is composed of a driving roller that rotates by the drive of a conveying motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates with the driving roller. The paper discharge roller pair 43 is composed of a driving roller that rotates by the drive of a paper discharge motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates with the driving roller. When the conveying motor and the paper discharge motor (not shown) are driven under the control of the control unit 10, the conveying roller pair 42 and the paper discharge roller pair 43 rotate while sandwiching the paper P to convey the paper P. The conveying roller pair 42 is located behind the head 6, and the paper discharge roller pair 43 is located in front of the head 6. The conveying roller pair 42 conveys the paper P guided forward by the guide member 44 forward while sandwiching it. The paper discharge roller pair 43 conveys the paper P conveyed forward by the conveying roller pair 42 forward while sandwiching it.

[0017] The cutter 5 is located between the separating piece 31 and the intermediate roller pair 41. The cutter 5 is composed of, for example, a rotary blade and a driven blade in a disc shape. Also, the cutter 5 may be composed of a rotary blade and a fixed blade. When the rotary blade rotates by the drive of a cutting motor (not shown) and reciprocates along the left - right direction, the cutter 5 cuts the roll paper Rp in the width direction of the roll paper Rp. The roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R and conveyed is cut by the cutter 5 when the cutting motor is driven under the control of the control unit 10.

[0018] The head 6 includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown) formed on the lower surface and a driver IC (not shown). 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 when the paper P conveyed by the conveying mechanism 4 passes through the image forming position facing the lower surface of the head 6. Note that the head 6 may be either a line type that ejects ink from the nozzles in a fixed position state or a serial type that ejects ink from the nozzles while moving in the left - right direction. The paper P on which an image is formed by the head 6 is received by the paper discharge tray 7.

[0019] The control unit 10 is connected to a feeding motor, an intermediate motor, a conveying motor, a paper discharge motor, a cutting motor, and a driver IC via an internal bus (not shown). The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Programs and data for the CPU to perform various controls are stored in the ROM. The RAM temporarily stores data used when the CPU executes a program.

[0020] (Configuration of the Feeding Tray 1) Next, the configuration of the feeding tray 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. In the following description, the directions of each part of the feeding tray 1 will be described based on the posture of the feeding tray 1 in a state where it is mounted on the housing 100a. The feeding tray 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in a top view. The feeding tray 1 includes a bottom wall 11 and side walls 12 to 15 provided at the edges of the bottom wall 11, and is formed in a box shape that is open upward.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5(a) and (b), the bottom wall 11 extends in a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. The upper surface of the bottom wall 11 serves as the bottom surface 11a of the feeding tray 1. The bottom surface 11a is orthogonal to the vertical direction. The side walls 12 and 13 extend upward from both left and right edges of the bottom wall 11. Also, the side walls 12 and 13 extend along the front-rear direction from the front end portion to the rear end portion of the bottom wall 11. The side wall 14 extends upward from the front edge of the bottom wall 11. Further, the side wall 14 extends along the left-right direction from the right end portion to the left end portion of the bottom wall 11.

[0022] The side walls 15 are provided in four numbers at the rear edge of the bottom wall 11. The side walls 15 have a guide surface 15a that is connected to the rear end portion of the bottom surface 11a and is inclined such that its upper end portion is located behind the lower end portion. The four side walls 15 are spaced apart from each other in the left - right direction. As shown in FIG. 2, when the feeding tray 1 is mounted on the housing 100a, the separating piece 31 is located between two of the four side walls 15 that are located on the inner side among the side walls 15 arranged in the left - right direction. The guide surface 15a of the side wall 15, together with the separating piece 31, guides the sheet P conveyed rearward by the feeding roller 2 obliquely upward.

[0023] At the central portion in the left - right direction at the rear end portion of the bottom wall 11, a convex portion 16 protruding upward is formed. The upper surface 16a of the convex portion 16 is a horizontal surface. When there is no sheet P on the upper surface 16a, as shown in FIG. 3, the feeding roller 2 contacts the upper surface 16a. When there is a sheet P on the upper surface 16a, the feeding roller 2 contacts the sheet P. That is, the position where the upper surface 16a of the convex portion 16 is provided with respect to the conveying direction is the conveying position where the feeding roller 2 applies a conveying force to the sheet P.

[0024] On the upstream side of the upper surface 16a with respect to the conveying direction, an inclined surface 16b that is connected to the upper surface 16a and slopes downward toward the upstream side in the conveying direction is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the height position of the upstream - side end portion of the inclined surface 16b in the conveying direction is the same as the height position of the portion of the bottom surface 11a of the feeding tray 1 other than the portion where the convex portion 16 is formed.

[0025] The feeding tray 1 is arranged inside a pair of side walls 12 and 13 and has a pair of side guides 17 that are spaced apart from each other in the left - right direction. The side guides 17 are supported by the bottom wall 11 so as to be movable in the left - right direction and are arranged to face each other in the left - right direction. One side guide 17 and the other side guide 17 are interlockingly movable in the direction of approaching and separating from each other by a known interlocking mechanism (not shown) composed of, for example, racks facing each other and pinions meshing with both racks.

[0026] The side guide 17 is composed of a first portion 17a parallel to the side walls 12 and 13 and a second portion 17b parallel to the bottom wall 11. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the second portion 17b extends rightward or leftward from the lower end of the first portion 17a toward the opposing side guide 17. The opposing surfaces of the first portions 17a of the pair of side guides 17 are side contact surfaces 18 that can contact the ends in the width direction of the sheet P. By guiding the sheet P with the side contact surfaces 18 of the pair of side guides 17, positioning of the sheet P in the left-right direction within the paper feed tray 1 can be performed. The upper surfaces of the second portions 17b of the pair of side guides 17 are lower contact surfaces 19 that contact the lower surface of the sheet P.

[0027] As described above, the paper feed tray 1 has a first storage portion 8 capable of storing the roll body R and a second storage portion 9 capable of storing a plurality of cut papers Kp stacked in the vertical direction. The first storage portion 8 and the second storage portion 9 are arranged side by side along the conveyance direction. The second storage portion 9 is located downstream of the first storage portion 8 in the conveyance direction.

[0028] The first storage portion 8 stores the roll body R in a posture in which its axial direction coincides with the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the first storage portion 8 has a support base 81 for supporting the roll body R and two rollers 81a, 81b. The support base 81 extends along the left-right direction. Both the rollers 81a and 81b extend in the left-right direction and are arranged apart from each other in the front-rear direction. Both the rollers 81a and 81b are rotatably supported at the upper end of the support base 81 around a rotation axis extending along the left-right direction. The rollers 81a and 81b support the roll body R from below in a state of contacting the outer peripheral surface of the lower side portion of the roll body R.

[0029] A clearance G is formed between the lower surface of the support base 81 and the bottom surface 11a of the feeding tray 1. As will be described later, when setting the roll paper Rp on the feeding tray 1, the roll body R supported by the support base 81 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3, and the roll paper Rp is drawn out from the front side portion of the roll body R. Then, the roll paper Rp drawn out from the roll body R is drawn out from the front side to the rear side of the support base 81 through the clearance G.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the first storage portion 8 has a cover 82 composed of a rear portion 82a that covers the rear of the roll body R supported by the support base 81 and an upper portion 82b that covers the upper part of the roll body R supported by the support base 81. The rear portion 82a is located behind the roll body R supported by the support base 81 and extends in a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The upper portion 82b is connected to the upper end portion of the rear portion 82a. The upper portion 82b is located above the roll body R supported by the support base 81 and extends in a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. The cover 82 is rotatable rearward about a rotation axis (not shown) extending along the left-right direction located at the lower end portion of the rear portion 82a. By rotating the cover 82 to the rearward position covering the roll body R supported by the support base 81 as shown in FIG. 3, the storage space of the roll body R above the support base 81 can be exposed.

[0031] The second storage portion 9 has a support plate 91 (corresponding to the "partition material" of the present invention) that supports a plurality of cut papers Kp placed in a stacked state from below. When the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R stored in the first storage portion 8 is fed out from the feeding tray 1 to form an image, the cut paper Kp is removed from the second storage portion 9.

[0032] The support plate 91 is located at the front end thereof and is pivotable up and down about a pivot shaft 91a extending along the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 3 here, an opening 12a (corresponding to the "insertion portion" of the present invention) having an elongated elliptical shape in the vertical direction is formed in the side wall 12 of the feed tray 1. One end portion (right end portion) of the pivot shaft 91a of the support plate 91 is inserted into the opening 12a of the side wall 12. Similarly, an opening (not shown) having an elongated elliptical shape in the vertical direction into which the other end portion (left end portion) of the pivot shaft 91a of the support plate 91 is inserted is formed in the side wall 13. The pivot shaft 91a is movable up and down within the opening 12a of the side wall 12 and the opening (not shown) of the side wall 13. The support plate 91 is supported by the side walls 12 and 13, and the side walls 12 and 13 correspond to the "support members" of the present invention.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the opening 12a is located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the support base 81. That is, the pivot shaft 91a whose end portion is inserted into the opening 12a is located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the support base 81. More specifically, the pivot shaft 91a is located in the vicinity of the rear portion 82a on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the rear portion 82a of the cover 82. The support plate 91 extends from the pivot shaft 91a toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction to the position of the downstream end portion in the conveyance direction on the bottom wall 11 of the feed tray 1.

[0034] Restricting portions 12b and 13b for restricting the downward rotation of the support plate 91 are respectively formed on the side walls 12 and 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the restricting portions 12b and 13b are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the side guide 17 in the conveyance direction. The restricting portions 12b and 13b are provided at portions located on both sides in the left-right direction of the second housing portion 9 in the side walls 12 and 13. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the restricting portion 12b protrudes from the lower end portion of the side wall 12 toward the side wall 13 side. The restricting portion 13b protrudes from the lower end portion of the side wall 13 toward the side wall 12 side. The downward rotation of the support plate 91 is restricted by the left and right end portions of the support plate 91 abutting against the upper surfaces of the restricting portions 12b and 13b.

[0035] The rotating shaft 91a is located at the lower ends of the opening 12a of the side wall 12 and the opening (not shown) of the side wall 13, and the support plate 91 in a state where downward rotation is restricted by the restricting portions 12b and 13b (hereinafter referred to as the "restricted state") has a posture in which the direction connecting the front end portion and the rear end portion substantially coincides with the conveying direction. Further, when the support plate 91 is in the restricted state, the bottom surface 11a of the feeding tray 1 and the support plate 91 are separated from each other, and a space is secured between the bottom surface 11a and the support plate 91.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5(a), and 5(b), an introduction path I for guiding the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R accommodated in the first accommodating portion 8 is defined by the bottom wall 11 of the feeding tray 1 and the support plate 91. That is, the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R passes below the second accommodating portion 9. The bottom surface 11a of the feeding tray 1 serves as a conveying surface on which the roll paper Rp is conveyed. The introduction path I extends along the conveying direction from the vicinity of the first accommodating portion 8, more specifically, from the vicinity of the rear portion 82a on the downstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the rear portion 82a of the cover 82, through the conveying position of the feeding roller 2, to the end portion on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the bottom wall 11 of the feeding tray 1.

[0037] The roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R and sent out to the rear of the support base 81 is fed into the introduction path I from the end portion on the upstream side in the conveying direction in the introduction path I. That is, the roll paper Rp passes through a region overlapping the second accommodating portion 9 when viewed in the vertical direction. The support plate 91 defining the upper wall of the introduction path I functions as a partitioning material that vertically partitions the cut paper Kp accommodated in the second accommodating portion 9 and the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R.

[0038] Here, at the upstream end in the conveying direction, which is the entrance of the introduction path I, a rotating shaft 91a of a support plate 91 that defines the upper wall of the introduction path I is provided. As described above, the rotating shaft 91a is movable up and down within the opening 12a of the side wall 12 and an opening (not shown) of the side wall 13. Therefore, when the roll paper Rp is fed into the introduction path I from the upstream end in the conveying direction in the introduction path I, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3, the rotating shaft 91a is pushed by the roll paper Rp with a curled tip and moves upward. As a result, the upstream end of the support plate 91 in the conveying direction is lifted, and the entrance of the introduction path I is widened.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, notches 91b and 91c are formed in the support plate 91. The notch 91b is formed at the downstream end of the support plate 91 in the conveying direction. The upper surface 16a of the convex portion 16 is located within the notch 91b in a top view. The notches 91c are respectively formed at both left and right ends of the support plate 91 in the left - right direction. The first portion 17a of the side guide 17 is located within the notch 91c. The lower end portion of the first portion 17a is located below the support plate 91, and the upper end portion of the first portion 17a is located above the support plate 91. The first portion 17a of the side guide 17 moves in the left - right direction within the range of the notch 91c.

[0040] In the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pair of side guides 17 are in a position where the lower contact surface 19 does not overlap with the support plate 91 in a top view. The pair of side guides 17 move in a direction approaching each other from the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, so that the lower contact surface 19 overlaps with the support plate 91 in a top view.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the height position H1 of the lower surface of the support plate 91 in the restricted state is higher than the height position H2 of the lower contact surface 19 of the side guide 17. Therefore, the side guide 17 does not contact the support plate 91 even when the lower contact surface 19 overlaps with the support plate 91 in a top view. Also, the height position H3 of the upper surface of the support plate 91 in the restricted state is lower than the height position H4 of the upper surface 16a of the convex portion 16.

[0042] Here, an example of the procedure for setting the roll paper Rp on the feeding tray 1 will be described. First, pull the feeding tray 1 in the direction from the rear to the front and pull it out from the housing 100a. Here, since the first storage portion 8 is located in front of the second storage portion 9, when the feeding tray 1 is pulled forward from the housing 100a, the first storage portion 8 is located in front of the second storage portion 9. Then, rotate the cover 82 of the first storage portion 8 to expose the storage space of the roll body R in the first storage portion 8, and support the roll body R on the support base 81. Subsequently, manually rotate the roll body R to unwind the roll paper Rp from the roll body R, and send the leading end portion of the roll paper Rp to the upper surface 16a of the convex portion 16 on the bottom surface 11a.

[0043] The roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R is first sent from the front side to the rear side of the support base 81 through the gap G below the support base 81. Further, while moving the rotation shaft 91a at the upstream end in the conveyance direction on the support plate 91 upward, the roll paper Rp is fed into the introduction path I defined by the bottom wall 11 of the feeding tray 1 and the support plate 91.

[0044] When the roll paper Rp reaches the position where the side guide 17 is arranged in the introduction path I, its lower surface abuts against the lower contact surface 19 of the side guide 17. Further, the leading end portion of the roll paper Rp climbs up the inclined surface 16b of the convex portion 16 and reaches the upper surface 16a.

[0045] Next, an example of the procedure for feeding out the roll paper Rp from the feeding tray 1 will be described. First, after setting the roll paper Rp on the feeding tray 1 by the above-described procedure, adjust the left-right positions of the pair of side guides 17 so that both ends in the width direction of the roll paper Rp abut against the side contact surfaces 18. Then, without storing the cut paper Kp in the second storage portion 9, attach the feeding tray 1 to the housing 100a. By attaching the feeding tray 1 to the housing 100a, the feeding roller 2 comes into contact with the portion of the roll paper Rp disposed on the upper surface 16a of the convex portion 16. Then, by driving the feeding motor to rotate the feeding roller 2, a conveying force is applied to the roll paper Rp to feed out the roll paper Rp from the feeding tray 1.

[0046] In addition, when the image is not immediately formed on the roll paper Rp or when the image is formed on the cut paper Kp, after setting the roll paper Rp, the feed tray 1 can be mounted on the housing 100a with the cut paper Kp accommodated in the second accommodation portion 9. In this case, when forming an image on the roll paper Rp, the feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a again, the cut paper Kp is removed from the second accommodation portion 9, and then the feed tray 1 is mounted on the housing 100a.

[0047] Subsequently, an example of the procedure for feeding the cut paper Kp from the feed tray 1 will be described. First, the feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a, and a plurality of cut papers Kp in a stacked state are placed on the upper surface of the support plate 91. Then, the positions of the pair of side guides 17 in the left - right direction are adjusted so that both ends in the width direction of the cut paper Kp abut against the side contact surfaces 18. Thereafter, the feed tray 1 is mounted on the housing 100a. By mounting the feed tray 1 on the housing 100a, the feed roller 2 comes into contact with the uppermost cut paper Kp among the plurality of cut papers Kp in the stacked state. Then, by rotating the feed roller 2 by driving the feed motor, a conveying force is applied to the cut paper Kp to feed the cut paper Kp out of the feed tray 1.

[0048] As described above, the feeding mechanism 3 mounted on the printer 100 of the present embodiment includes a feed tray 1 having a first accommodation portion 8 capable of accommodating the roll body R and a second accommodation portion 9 capable of accommodating a plurality of cut papers Kp stacked in the vertical direction, and a feed roller 2 that applies a conveying force to the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R and feeds the roll paper Rp out of the feed tray 1. An introduction path I for guiding the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R is provided in the feed tray 1 at least between the first accommodation portion 8 and the feed roller 2. The roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R passes through a region overlapping the second accommodation portion 9 when viewed from the vertical direction. The introduction path I is defined by a support plate 91 that vertically partitions the cut paper Kp accommodated in the second accommodation portion 9 and the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R.

[0049] With the above configuration, between the first accommodating portion 8 and the feeding roller 2, the roll paper Rp unrolled from the roll body R with its tip curled can be guided through the introduction path I while suppressing the curl. The introduction path I is defined by a support plate 91 that vertically partitions the cut paper Kp accommodated in the second accommodating portion 9 and the roll paper Rp unrolled from the roll body R. Therefore, there is no need to provide a roller or the like for guiding the tip of the roll paper Rp to the feeding roller 2, so that the complication and enlargement of the structure can be suppressed, and the roll paper Rp unrolled from the roll body R can be surely guided to the feeding roller 2.

[0050] Also, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, the first accommodating portion 8 and the second accommodating portion 9 are arranged along the conveying direction (the direction from the front to the rear) of the paper P by the feeding roller 2. Therefore, the size of the feeding tray 1 in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction can be suppressed as compared with the case where the first accommodating portion 8 and the second accommodating portion 9 are not arranged along the conveying direction.

[0051] Furthermore, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, the feeding tray 1 is pullable from the housing 100a of the printer 100 in the direction from the rear to the front, and the first accommodating portion 8 is located in front of the second accommodating portion 9 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the feeding tray 1 is pulled forward from the housing 100a, the first accommodating portion 8 is located in front of the second accommodating portion 9. Thus, the operation of setting the roll paper Rp on the feeding tray 1 is easy.

[0052] In addition, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, the introduction path I extends in the conveying direction from the vicinity of the first accommodating portion 8 through the conveying position of the feeding roller 2 to the downstream end in the conveying direction on the bottom wall 11 of the feeding tray 1. Therefore, the roll paper Rp unrolled from the roll body R can be surely guided to the conveying position of the feeding roller 2. Thus, the conveyance by the feeding roller 2 can be surely realized.

[0053] Also, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R passes below the second storage portion 9. Therefore, even when the roll paper Rp is unwound from the roll body R in the feeding tray 1, the roll paper Rp is less likely to be obstructive, and the feeding roller 2 can apply a conveying force to the cut paper Kp stored in the second storage portion 9 to convey the cut paper Kp.

[0054] Also, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, the support plate 91 is rotatable up and down about a rotation shaft 91a extending along the left-right direction. Therefore, even when the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R jams below the support plate 91, the support plate 91 can be rotated upward to eliminate the jam.

[0055] In addition, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, the rotation shaft 91a of the support plate 91 is located at the upstream end of the support plate 91. Both end portions of the rotation shaft 91a are inserted into openings 12a having an elongated elliptical shape in the vertical direction formed in the side walls 12, 13 of the feeding tray 1 (the opening in the side wall 13 is not shown), and the support plate 91 is supported by the side walls 12, 13 of the feeding tray 1. Therefore, when feeding the roll paper Rp into the introduction path I from the upstream end in the conveying direction in the introduction path I, the upstream end of the support plate 91 in the conveying direction is pushed upward by the roll paper Rp, and the rotation shaft 91a of the support plate 91 moves upward within the opening 12a of the side walls 12, 13. As a result, the upstream end of the support plate 91 in the conveying direction moves upward, and the roll paper Rp can be smoothly fed into the introduction path I.

[0056] Furthermore, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, restricting portions 12b, 13b for restricting the downward rotation of the support plate 91 are formed on the side walls 12, 13. Therefore, the space below the support plate 91 can be secured, and it is possible to avoid the roll paper Rp passing through the introduction path I from rubbing against the support plate 91.

[0057] In addition, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, the first accommodating portion 8 has a support base 81 that supports the roll body R. And the rotation axis 91a of the support plate 91 is located on the downstream side in the conveying direction from the support base 81. When the rotation axis 91a of the support plate 91 is located on the upstream side in the conveying direction from the support base 81, it is necessary to configure the support plate 91 so as not to interfere with the support base 81 when the support plate 91 rotates. In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to consider the interference between the support plate 91 and the support base 81, the feeding tray 1 can have a simple configuration.

[0058] Also, in the feeding mechanism 3 of the above-described embodiment, the roll body R is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3, and the roll paper Rp is pulled out from the roll body R at the front side portion of the roll body R and passes under the support base 81. Here, when the roll body R is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3 and the roll paper Rp is pulled out from the roll body R at the rear side portion of the roll body R, or when the roll body R is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and the roll paper Rp is pulled out from the roll body R at the rear side portion of the roll body R, the roll paper R does not pass under the support base 81. In this case, the stability of the roll body R when the roll paper Rp is strongly pulled is poor. In this embodiment, even when the roll paper Rp is pulled out with a strong force, the roll body R can be stably supported.

[0059] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration should be considered not to be limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0060] The above-described embodiment has been described in the case where the support plate 91 functions as a partition material that vertically partitions the cut paper Kp housed in the second housing portion 9 and the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R, but it is not limited to this. The partition material that vertically partitions the cut paper Kp housed in the second housing portion 9 and the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R may be composed of a net-like member, or may be configured by arranging a plurality of rod-like members extending along a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction in the left-right direction.

[0061] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the first housing portion 8 and the second housing portion 9 are arranged along the conveyance direction of the paper P (the direction from the front to the rear) by the feed roller 2, and the first housing portion 8 is located in front of the second housing portion 9 in the front-rear direction has been described, but the arrangement of the first housing portion 8 and the second housing portion 9 is not limited to this. That is, for example, the first housing portion 8 and the second housing portion 9 may be arranged so as to overlap vertically.

[0062] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the introduction path I extends from the vicinity of the first housing portion 8 through the conveyance position of the feed roller 2 to the downstream end in the conveyance direction on the bottom wall 11 of the feed tray 1 has been described, but it is not limited to this. The introduction path I only needs to be provided at least between the first housing portion 8 and the feed roller 2.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R passes below the second housing portion 9 has been described, but the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R may pass above the second housing portion 9. In this case, a partition material that vertically partitions the cut paper Kp housed in the second housing portion 9 and the roll paper Rp unwound from the roll body R is provided above the second housing portion 9. Then, an introduction path I for guiding the roll paper Rp is defined by this partition material and a path member provided above the partition material.

[0064] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the support plate 91 is rotatable up and down about the rotation axis 91a extending along the left-right direction has been described. However, the support plate 91 may not be configured to be rotatable. However, from the viewpoint of being able to eliminate jams when the roll paper Rp jams below the support plate 91, it is preferable that the support plate 91 is configured to be removable from the feed tray 1.

[0065] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where both end portions of the rotation axis 91a of the support plate 91 are inserted into the opening 12a of the side wall 12 and the opening (not shown) of the side wall 13 and the support plate 91 is supported by the side walls 12 and 13 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The rotation axis 91a of the support plate 91 may be fitted into a groove or the like instead of the opening. Further, a member for supporting the support plate 91 may be provided separately from the side walls 12 and 13.

[0066] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the upstream end portion of the support plate 91 in the conveyance direction is configured to be movable upward has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the support plate 91 may be configured such that the upstream end portion in the conveyance direction does not move upward.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the restricting portions 12b and 13b for restricting the downward rotation of the support plate 91 are formed on the side walls 12 and 13, and the case where a space is secured between the bottom surface 11a and the support plate 91 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the restricting portions 12b and 13b may be formed on a portion other than the side walls 12 and 13, such as the bottom wall 11.

[0068] Also, in the feed tray 201 according to a modified example of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a restricting portion for restricting the downward rotation of the support plate 291 is not provided. In the feed tray 201, when the roll paper Rp is not set, the support plate 291 is in contact with the bottom surface 11a of the feed tray 201.

[0069] In the feeding tray 201, when the lower contact surfaces 19 of the pair of side guides 17 are not overlapped with the support plate 291 in top view, the height position of the upper surface of the support plate 291 is substantially the same as the height position of the lower contact surfaces 19 of the side guides 17. Therefore, the cut paper Kp accommodated in the second accommodating portion 9 can be linearly supported by the upper surface of the support plate 291 and the lower contact surfaces 19 of the side guides 17.

[0070] When the first portions 17a of the pair of side guides 17 move in the left-right direction within the notch 291c and move to a position where the lower contact surfaces 19 overlap with the support plate 291 in top view, the support plate 291 is pushed upward by the second portions 17b of the side guides 17. As a result, the support plate 291 rotates upward.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the first accommodating portion 8 has the support base 81 that supports the roll body R has been described, but it is not limited thereto. The first accommodating portion 8 may have a support portion that rotatably supports the core member Rc.

[0072] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the rotation axis 91a of the support base 81 is located in the vicinity of the rear portion 82a on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the rear portion 82a of the cover 82 has been described, but it is not limited thereto. The rotation axis 91a may be located on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the rear portion 82a of the cover 82. However, from the viewpoint of making the feeding tray 1 have a simple configuration, it is preferable that the rotation axis 91a is located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the support base 81.

[0073] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the roll paper Rp is pulled out from the roll body R at the front side portion of the roll body R and passes under the support base 81 has been described, but it is not limited thereto. The roll paper Rp may be pulled out from the roll body R at the rear side portion of the roll body R so that the roll paper Rp does not pass under the support base 81.

[0074] The present invention can be applied to general image forming apparatuses provided with a feeding tray capable of accommodating roll bodies together. That is, for example, the present invention can be applied not only to an inkjet printer, but also to a laser type in which an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing a photoreceptor with a laser, and an LED type electrophotographic printer in which an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing a photoreceptor with an LED. Further, the sheet-like medium is not limited to paper, and may be cloth or the like as long as it is sheet-like.

Explanation of Signs

[0075] 1 Feeding tray 2 Feeding roller 8 First accommodating portion 9 Second accommodating portion 11 Bottom wall (path member) 12, 13 Side walls (support members) 12a Opening (insertion portion) 12b, 13b Regulation portions 81 Support base 91 Support plate (partition material) 91a Rotation shaft 100 Printer (image forming apparatus) I Introduction path Kp Cut paper (cut medium) R Roll body Rp Roll paper (roll medium)

Claims

1. A feed tray capable of accommodating a roll body in which a sheet-like medium is wound in a roll shape, A feed roller that applies a conveying force to a roll medium that is a sheet-like medium unwound from the roll body and feeds out the roll medium from the feed tray, and The feed tray, A first accommodating portion capable of accommodating the roll body, A second accommodating portion capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet-like media stacked in the vertical direction, A path member that is located at least between the first accommodating portion and the feed roller and defines an introduction path for guiding the roll medium unwound from the roll body, And has, The roll medium unwound from the roll body passes through a region overlapping the second accommodating portion when viewed from the vertical direction, The path member has a partition material that vertically partitions the sheet-like medium accommodated in the second accommodating portion and the roll medium unwound from the roll body, An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the roll medium unwound from the roll body passes below the second accommodating portion.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the partition material is rotatable up and down about a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the roll medium by the feed roller and extends in the horizontal direction.

3. The rotation axis is located at an upstream end of the partition material, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a support member that supports the partition material, has an elliptical shape that is long in the vertical direction, and is formed with a fitting portion into which the rotation axis of the partition material is fitted.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts downward rotation of the partition material.

5. The first accommodating portion has a support base that supports the roll body, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the rotation axis is located on the downstream side of the support base in the conveyance direction.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the roll medium drawn out from the roll body passes below the support base.

7. A feed tray capable of accommodating a roll body in which a sheet-like medium is wound in a roll shape, A feed roller that applies a conveying force to a roll medium that is a sheet-like medium unwound from the roll body and feeds out the roll medium from the feed tray, and The feed tray, A first accommodating portion capable of accommodating the roll body, A second accommodating portion capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet-like media stacked in the vertical direction, A path member that is located at least between the first accommodating portion and the feeding roller and defines an introduction path for guiding the roll medium unwound from the roll body, It has, The roll medium unwound from the roll body passes through a region overlapping the second accommodating portion when viewed from the vertical direction, The path member has a partition material that vertically partitions the sheet-like medium accommodated in the second accommodating portion and the roll medium unwound from the roll body, The feeding tray is pullable in a direction from the rear to the front of the apparatus, An image forming apparatus, wherein the first accommodating portion is located in front of the second accommodating portion with respect to the front-rear direction of the apparatus.

8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion are arranged side by side along the conveyance direction of the roll medium by the feeding roller.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second accommodating portion is located downstream of the first accommodating portion in the conveyance direction.

10. With respect to the conveyance direction of the roll medium by the feeding roller, the downstream end of the introduction path extends at least to a conveyance position where the feeding roller applies a conveyance force to the roll medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A feeding tray that is pullable with respect to an image forming apparatus including a feeding roller that applies a conveyance force to a roll medium that is a sheet-like medium unwound from a roll body in which the sheet-like medium is wound in a roll shape to send out the roll medium, A first accommodating portion capable of accommodating the roll body, A second accommodating portion capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet-like media stacked in the vertical direction, A path member that is located at least between the first accommodating portion and a portion where the feeding roller can abut, and defines an introduction path for guiding the roll medium, Comprising, The roll medium passes through a region overlapping the second accommodating portion when viewed from the vertical direction, The path member has a partition material that vertically partitions the sheet-like medium accommodated in the second accommodating portion and the roll medium, The roll medium unwound from the roll body passes below the second accommodating portion. A feeding tray characterized by this.

12. A feeding tray that can be pulled out with respect to an image forming apparatus including a feeding roller that applies a conveying force to a roll medium that is a sheet-like medium unwound from a roll body in which the sheet-like medium is wound in a roll shape, and feeds out the roll medium, a first accommodating portion capable of accommodating the roll body, a second accommodating portion capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet-like media stacked in the vertical direction, a path member that is located at least between the first accommodating portion and a portion where the feeding roller can abut, and defines an introduction path for guiding the roll medium, and comprising, the roll medium passes through a region overlapping the second accommodating portion when viewed from the vertical direction, the path member has a partitioning material that vertically partitions the sheet-like medium accommodated in the second accommodating portion and the roll medium, is pullable in a direction from the rear to the front of the image forming apparatus, and the first accommodating portion is located in front of the second accommodating portion with respect to the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus. A feeding tray characterized by this.

13. A feeding tray that can be pulled out with respect to an image forming apparatus including a feeding roller that applies a conveying force to a roll medium that is a sheet-like medium unwound from a roll body in which the sheet-like medium is wound in a roll shape, and feeds out the roll medium, a bottom wall, a first accommodating portion capable of accommodating the roll body above the bottom wall, a path member that is located at least between the first accommodating portion and a portion where the feeding roller can abut, and defines an introduction path for guiding the roll medium, and comprising, the path member has the bottom wall that defines the lower side of the introduction path and a member that defines the upper side of the introduction path. A feeding tray characterized by this.

Images