Media loading device and recording system

Abstract

To solve a problem in that in a configuration in which media are placed on an entire placing unit, a size of the placing unit is made likely to be increased so as to match a medium having a long length in a conveying direction.SOLUTION: In a stacking device 30, paper strips PS ejected from an ejection unit 24 of a printer 10 are stacked. In addition, the stacking device 30 includes a placing unit 42 and a friction member 82. At least one paper strip PS ejected from the ejection unit 24 is placed on the placing unit 42. The friction member 82 is disposed downstream of a downstream end 42A of the placing unit 42 in a +Y direction and has a contact surface 84 that can be brought into contact with a back surface PT, opposite the placing unit 42, of a paper strip PS. The contact surface 84 is extended at least in the +Y direction at a position lower than a height position of the downstream end 42A in a Z direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium loading device and a recording system. [Background technology]

[0002] The paper storage device described in Patent Document 1 has a swingable stopper at the leading end of a paper tray. When the stopper is in an upright state, the discharged paper is stopped by the stopper and stored in the paper tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-286558 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the medium is locked by raising a stopper in the loading section on which the medium is loaded, so the loading section needs to be as long as the length of the loaded medium in the transport direction. In this way, in a configuration in which the medium is loaded on the entire loading section, there is a risk that the loading section will become large to accommodate media that are long in the transport direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the media loading device of the present invention is a media loading device on which media discharged from a discharge section of a processing device is loaded, and is characterized in that it comprises a loading section on which at least one sheet of the media discharged from the discharge section is placed, and a friction member which is arranged downstream of the downstream end of the loading section in the movement direction of the media in the loading section and has a contact surface which can come into contact with the back surface of the media that faces the loading section, and which extends at least in the movement direction at a position lower than the height position of the downstream end in the device height direction.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the recording system of the present invention is a recording system comprising a recording device and a media loading device, wherein the recording device comprises a storage section for storing recording media, a transport section for transporting the recording media from the storage section, a recording section for recording on the recording media transported by the transport section, and a discharge section for discharging the recording media recorded on the recording section, and the media loading device comprises a loading section on which at least one of the recording media discharged from the discharge section is loaded, and a friction member which is arranged downstream of the downstream end of the loading section in the movement direction of the recording medium in the loading section and has a contact surface which can come into contact with the back surface of the medium facing the loading section, and which is characterized in that the contact surface extends at least in the movement direction at a position lower than the height position of the downstream end in the device height direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a recording system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the loading device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the placement portion and the opposing portion in the loading device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the placement portion, the overhanging portion, and the friction member in the loading device of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of a placement section, a visor section, and a friction member in the loading device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the leading end of a cut paper sheet comes into contact with a friction member in the loading device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a placement unit and a friction member in a loading device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a placement unit and a friction member in a loading device of a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The first to twelfth aspects of the present invention will be briefly described below. The media loading device of a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is a media loading device on which media discharged from a discharge section of a processing device is loaded, and is characterized in that it comprises a loading section on which at least one sheet of the media discharged from the discharge section is placed, and a friction member which is arranged at the downstream end of the loading section in the movement direction of the media in the loading section and has a contact surface which can come into contact with the back surface of the media facing the loading section, and which is located at a position lower than the height position of the downstream end in the device height direction and extends at least in the movement direction. According to this aspect, the medium discharged from the discharge section is placed on the placement section while being moved in the movement direction. Here, since the contact surface of the friction member is located at a position lower than the height position of the downstream end in the device height direction, the downstream end of the medium in the movement direction is unlikely to come into contact with the friction member, and it is possible to suppress restriction of the movement of the medium in the placement section. Furthermore, if the length of the medium in the movement direction is longer than the length of the placement section in the movement direction, the downstream portion of the medium moving in the placement section will protrude from the placement section and sag due to its own weight. Here, the contact surface comes into contact with the back surface of the medium, and a frictional force acts on the medium in the direction opposite to the movement direction, so that the medium can be prevented from falling off the placement section. And, even if a second sheet of the medium is placed on the first sheet of the medium, the first sheet of the medium can be prevented from being pushed out by the second sheet of the medium. In this way, even if the length of the placement section in the movement direction is shorter than the length of the medium in the movement direction, the medium is maintained in a placed state on the placement section, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the medium loading device.

[0009] The medium loading device of the second aspect is characterized in that in the first aspect, the length corresponding to the difference between the height position of the downstream end in the device height direction and the height position of the contact surface is shorter than the length of the contact surface in the movement direction. According to the present aspect, the distance between the back surface of the medium and the friction member is shorter than in a configuration in which the length equivalent to the difference between the height position of the downstream end in the device height direction and the height position of the contact surface is longer than the length of the contact surface in the movement direction, making it easier to bring the back surface into contact with the friction member.

[0010] The medium loading device according to a third aspect is the medium loading device according to the first or second aspect, characterized in that the friction coefficient of the friction member is greater than the friction coefficient of the placement section. According to the present aspect, the frictional force acting on the back surface of the medium is greater than in a configuration in which the friction coefficient of the friction member and the friction coefficient of the loading section are equal, making it easier for the medium to be held in place when placed on the loading section.

[0011] A medium loading device according to a fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the friction member is attached to a side surface of the downstream end in the direction of movement or a side surface of an attached part arranged downstream from the downstream end, and the length of the attachment surface attached to the side surface of the friction member in the device height direction is longer than the length of the contact surface in the direction of movement. According to the present aspect, the area of ​​the adhesive surface is larger than in a configuration in which the length of the adhesive surface in the device height direction is shorter than the length of the contact surface in the movement direction, thereby preventing the friction member from peeling off from the side surface.

[0012] The medium loading device of the fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, a step portion is formed at the downstream end such that the downstream side in the direction of movement is lower in height than the upstream side, and the friction member is arranged in the step portion. According to this aspect, since the friction member is supported by the step portion, it is possible to prevent the friction member from falling off the placement portion.

[0013] The medium loading device of the sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, at least a portion of the contact surface has a portion whose height position downstream of the movement direction is lower than its height position upstream. According to this aspect, when the downstream portion of the medium moving in the movement direction hangs down beyond the aforementioned placement portion, the height position of at least a portion of the contact surface also drops in accordance with the drop in the height position of the back surface, thereby preventing the hanging portion of the medium from receiving more reaction force than necessary in the movement direction due to contact with the friction member.

[0014] The medium loading device according to a seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that the friction member is an elastic member. According to this aspect, when the back surface of the medium comes into contact with the friction member, the friction member elastically deforms, thereby expanding the contact area between the back surface and the friction member, making it easier to hold the medium.

[0015] The medium loading device of the eighth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, a side portion located downstream of the downstream end in the movement direction is provided with a canopy portion protruding in the movement direction above the friction member in the device height direction. According to this aspect, the eave portion covers the area between the side portion and the friction member from above, making it difficult for the downstream end of the medium to enter between the side portion and the friction member, thereby preventing the friction member from peeling off from the side surface.

[0016] The medium loading device of the 9th aspect is characterized in that in the 8th aspect, the eave portion is located below in the device height direction below a virtual line connecting the downstream end that is located most downstream among the downstream ends and the downstream end of the contact surface in the movement direction. According to this aspect, the overhanging portion is less likely to come into contact with the rear surface than the downstream end of the contact surface, so that the overhanging portion can be prevented from restricting contact between the rear surface and the contact surface.

[0017] The medium loading device of the 10th aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, a slope is formed in a portion upstream of the downstream end of the loading section, the position in the device height direction increasing from upstream to downstream in the movement direction. According to this aspect, the medium discharged from the discharge section is first moved diagonally upward along the slope, whereby the medium is arranged in a mountain shape along a portion of the moving direction, and compared to a configuration in which the medium is linearly arranged along the moving direction, the arrangement is more stable against a force acting in the moving direction, and therefore the medium can be prevented from falling off the placement section.

[0018] A recording system according to an eleventh aspect is a recording system comprising a recording device and a media loading device, wherein the recording device comprises a storage section for storing recording media, a transport section for transporting the recording media from the storage section, a recording section for recording on the recording media transported by the transport section, and a discharge section for discharging the recording media recorded by the recording section, and the media loading device comprises a loading section on which at least one of the recording media discharged from the discharge section is loaded, and a friction member which is arranged at a downstream end of the loading section in the direction of movement of the recording medium in the loading section and has a contact surface which can come into contact with the back surface of the recording medium facing the loading section, and which is characterized in that the contact surface extends at least in the movement direction at a position lower than the height position of the downstream end in the device height direction. According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first aspect.

[0019] A recording system according to a twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, the recording medium is roll paper, the recording device has a cutting unit that cuts the roll paper recorded by the recording unit into cut sheets, and the loading unit is capable of loading a plurality of the cut sheets. According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent a plurality of cut slips from falling and to reduce the size of the recording system.

[0020] An example of the recording system and medium loading device of the present invention will be specifically described below. In each figure, the X direction along the X axis is an example of the device width direction and medium width direction of the loading devices 30, 100, and 110 described later. The -X direction is the left direction as seen by the user when the front of the device faces the user, and the +X direction is the right direction. The Y direction along the Y axis is an example of the device depth direction of the loading devices 30, 100, 110. The +Y direction is the direction from the back of the device to the front, and is an example of the movement direction of the loading section 42 for cut paper PS, which will be described later. The -Y direction is the direction from the front of the device to the back. The X and Y directions are horizontal directions. The Z direction along the Z axis is the device height direction and vertical direction of the loading devices 30, 100, 110, the +Z direction is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other. Paper P is an example of a medium and a recording medium. In the following description, paper P in a roll state will be referred to as roll paper PR, and cut sheets will be referred to as cut papers PS.

[0021] [Embodiment 1] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording system 1 of the first embodiment includes a printer 10 as an example of a processing device and a recording device, and a loading device 30 as an example of a medium loading device. The printer 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 12. Moreover, the printer 10 is configured as an inkjet printer capable of printing on paper P ranging in size from A4 to A0, for example. In addition to size, classification items for paper P include bending rigidity against external forces acting in the out-of-plane direction of paper P. Photo paper has a relatively high bending rigidity. Plain paper has a lower bending rigidity than photo paper. The printer 10 can record on both plain paper and photo paper.

[0022] Specifically, the printer 10 includes a storage unit 14, a transport unit 16, a recording unit 18, a cutting unit 22, and a discharge unit 24 inside a housing 12. The printer 10 is also provided with a control unit 26 that controls the operation of each unit of the printer 10. As an example, the control unit 26 also functions as a control unit for a loading device 30, which will be described later. The housing 12 has a side wall 13 that constitutes the +Y direction wall of the housing 12. An outlet 19 that penetrates the side wall 13 in the Y direction is formed. The outlet 19 has a size that allows all paper sheets P that can be used in the printer 10 to pass through.

[0023] The storage section 14 stores roll paper PR which is rotated around a central axis along the X direction. The transport section 16 has a plurality of transport rollers 17. The transport section 16 also transports the roll paper PR pulled out of the storage section 14 downstream along a transport path K1 indicated by a two-dot chain line. The recording unit 18 records using ink Q, an example of a liquid, on the roll paper PR transported by the transport unit 16. The roll paper PR is transported in the +Y direction in an area facing the recording unit 18. The recording unit 18 is located in the +Z direction relative to the roll paper PR. In other words, recording is performed on the top surface of the roll paper PR in the +Z direction.

[0024] The cutting unit 22 cuts the roll paper PR recorded by the recording unit 18 to form cut papers PS as a medium. The discharge section 24 has a support table 25, which is located downstream of the cutting section 22, and a pair of discharge rollers 28. The support table 25 supports the cut paper PS and guides it to the discharge opening 19. The pair of discharge rollers 28 feed the cut paper PS into the discharge opening 19 via the support table 25, thereby discharging the cut paper PS from the discharge opening 19 to the outside. In this way, the discharge section 24 discharges the cut paper PS that has been recorded by the recording section 18. The cut paper PS discharged from the discharge port 19 is transported along a transport path K2 indicated by a two-dot chain line to the stacking device 30. Note that the transport path K2 includes path component members (not shown).

[0025] Next, the loading device 30 will be described. The stacking device 30 is a device on which the cut papers PS discharged from the discharge section 24 are stacked. The stacking device 30 further includes a device main body 31 and a friction member 82. As an example, the device main body 31 includes a base 32, a placement section 42 provided on the base 32 on which cut paper PS is placed, an opposing section 66 facing the placement section 42 in the Z direction, and a pressing section 72 that presses the cut paper PS. The facing portion 66 faces the mounting portion 42 above the mounting portion 42 in the +Z direction. Moreover, as one example, five facing portions 66 are provided at intervals in the X direction.

[0026] The base 32 includes a leg frame 34 standing upright in the Z direction, a caster 35 rotatably provided at the -Z end of the leg frame 34, and a support frame 36 provided at the +Z end of the leg frame 34. The base 32 supports the placement portion 42, the facing portion 66, the pressing portion 72, and the friction member 82 from the -Z direction. In this manner, the loading device 30 is movable in the +Y direction and the -Y direction. The support frame 36 has a lower frame 38 supported by the leg frame 34, a wall portion 39 standing upright in the +Z direction from both ends of the lower frame 38 in the X direction, and an upper frame 41 connecting the +Z ends of the wall portion 39 in the X direction.

[0027] At least one cut paper PS discharged from the discharge section 24 is placed on the placement section 42. In other words, the placement section 42 is capable of stacking multiple cut paper PS. As an example, the direction in which the cut paper PS moves on the placement section 42 is the +Y direction. The placement section 42 consists of a first placement section 43, a second placement section 44, and a third placement section 45, which are arranged from upstream to downstream in the +Y direction.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the first mounting portion 43 and the second mounting portion 44 are directly supported by the base portion 32 . The third mounting portion 45 extends downstream from the end of the second mounting portion 44 in the +Y direction, and is indirectly supported by the base 32 via the second mounting portion 44. In addition, the third mounting portion 45 has, as an example, six main body portions 46 spaced apart in the X direction, and five connection portions 56 connecting the six main body portions 46 in the X direction.

[0029] The main body 46 includes, for example, a plurality of vertical plates 48 spaced apart in the X direction, and a front plate 54 connecting the plurality of vertical plates 48 in the X direction. The vertical plates 48 have a predetermined thickness in the X direction, and are arranged along the YZ plane. The vertical plates 48 extend in the +Y direction. A mounting surface 49 is formed at an end of the vertical plates 48 in the +Z direction. The mounting surface 49 includes, for example, an inclined surface 51 and a flat surface 52 (FIG. 4).

[0030] 4, the inclined surface 51 is formed in a portion upstream of the downstream end 42A in the +Y direction of the mounting portion 42. The inclined surface 51 is also located upstream of the flat surface 52. Specifically, the inclined surface 51 is a surface whose Z-direction position becomes higher from the upstream to the downstream in the +Y direction. In other words, the inclined surface 51 is a surface that extends obliquely upward so that the height position in the Z direction of the end in the +Y direction is higher than the height position in the Z direction of the end in the -Y direction. The flat surface 52 is a surface along the XY plane.

[0031] The front plate 54 is an example of a side portion and an example of an attachment portion to which a friction member 82 (described later) is attached. The front plate 54 has a predetermined thickness in the +Y direction and is disposed along the XZ plane. The front plate 54 is formed in a rectangular shape whose dimension in the X direction is greater than its dimension in the Z direction when viewed from the +Y direction. The friction member 82 is attached to a side surface 54A of the front plate 54 in the +Y direction. Here, the end face in the +Y direction of the downstream end portion 42A is defined as side surface 55. Moreover, the end face in the +Z direction of the front plate 54 is defined as top surface 54B. In the Z direction, the height position of top surface 54B is lower than the height position of mounting surface 49. That is, side surface 55 and top surface 54B form a step portion 61.

[0032] 3, when viewed from the +Y direction, the six main body portions 46 and the five opposing portions 66 are staggered so as not to line up in the Z direction. Also, the five connection portions 56 are lined up in the Z direction with the five opposing portions 66. The six front panels 54 are aligned in the X direction with their height positions aligned in the Z direction.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the pressing portion 72 is made up of a plurality of pressing members 74 provided at intervals in the Y direction in the facing portion 66 . The pressing member 74 extends diagonally downward from the facing portion 66 so that its downstream end in the +Y direction is located further in the -Z direction than its upstream end. One end of the pressing member 74 in the extending direction is rotatably connected to the facing portion 66. A roller (not shown) is rotatably supported on the other end of the pressing member 74 in the extending direction. The outer circumferential surface of the roller is capable of coming into contact with the top surface of the cut paper PS that is located furthest in the +Z direction among the stacked cut papers PS. When the amount of stacked cut papers PS changes, the pressing member 74 swings to change its height position in the Z direction. Note that the pressing member 74 does not straighten out curls at both ends of the cut papers PS in the X direction.

[0034] 5, the friction member 82 is disposed downstream of the downstream end 42A of the mounting portion 42 in the +Y direction. The friction member 82 is formed, for example, in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Y direction. The friction member 82 is formed in a rectangular shape whose dimension in the X direction is greater than its dimension in the Z direction when viewed from the +Y direction. For example, Eptsealer (registered trademark) can be used as the friction member 82. The friction member 82 is an example of an elastic member that is able to restore its original shape when an external force is applied thereto. The dynamic friction coefficient μ1, which is the friction coefficient between the friction member 82 and the cut paper PS, is greater than the dynamic friction coefficient μ2, which is the friction coefficient between the friction member 82 and the cut paper PS, of the mounting section 42. Note that the dynamic friction coefficients μ1 and μ2 are not shown in the figure. The friction member 82 also has a contact surface 84 that can come into contact with the rear surface PT of the cut paper PS that faces the placement portion 42 .

[0035] The contact surface 84 extends at least in the +Y direction at a position lower than the height position of the downstream end 42A in the Z direction. Specifically, the contact surface 84 is, for example, composed of an upper surface 85 of the friction member 82 in the +Z direction and an end surface 86 of the friction member 82 in the +Y direction. As an example, the top surface 85 is a plane along the XY plane. As an example, the end surface 86 is a plane along the XZ plane. A portion consisting of an end portion of the top surface 85 in the +Y direction and an end portion of the end surface 86 in the +Z direction is defined as a corner portion 89. A length L1 corresponding to the difference in height between the downstream end 42A and the contact surface 84 in the Z direction is shorter than a length L2 of the contact surface 84 in the +Y direction.

[0036] The friction member 82 is attached from the +Y direction to a side surface 54A of the front plate 54 disposed downstream of the downstream end portion 42A in the +Y direction. The surface of the friction member 82 attached to the side surface 54A is defined as an attachment surface 82A. The length L3 in the Z direction of the attachment surface 82A is longer than the length L2 of the contact surface 84 in the +Y direction.

[0037] The front panel 54 is provided with a canopy portion 92 . As an example, the overhanging portion 92 protrudes in the +Y direction from the +Z direction end of the front plate 54, above the friction member 82 in the Z direction. The overhanging portion 92 may protrude in the +Y direction from the side surface 55 of the downstream end 42A. Specifically, the eaves portion 92 has a predetermined thickness in the Z direction and is formed into a plate shape extending in the X direction. The length equivalent to the amount of protrusion of the eaves portion 92 in the +Y direction is defined as length L4. As an example, the length L4 is shorter than half the length L2. The length L6 equivalent to the thickness of the eaves portion 92 in the Z direction is set in advance so as to suppress deformation of the eaves portion 92 in the Z direction. The length of the portion of the contact surface 84 exposed in the +Y direction is defined as a length L5. The length L5 corresponds to the difference between the length L2 and the length L4. The position of the downstream end 42A that is located most downstream in the +Y direction is represented by point A. The position of the downstream end of the contact surface 84 in the +Y direction is represented by point B. A straight line passing through points A and B is represented as imaginary line V. The overhanging portion 96 is located in the -Z direction from imaginary line V, i.e., below it in the Z direction. Moreover, the visor portion 92 also functions as a guide for the attachment position in the Z direction when attaching the friction member 82.

[0038] Next, the operation of the recording system 1 and the loading device 30 of the first embodiment will be described. Note that for each configuration of the recording system 1 and the loading device 30, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 5, and individual figure numbers will be omitted. As an example, the length of the cut paper PS in the +Y direction is longer than the length of the placement unit 42 in the +Y direction.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, cut paper PS discharged from the discharge section 24 (Figure 1) moves in the +Y direction on the placement section 42. The central and upstream portions of the cut paper PS in the +Y direction are placed on the placement surface 49, but the downstream portion of the cut paper PS in the +Y direction passes over the placement section 42 and advances downstream in the +Y direction. Note that until the downstream portion of the cut paper PS passes over the placement section 42 in the +Y direction, the back surface PT of the cut paper PS is in contact only with the placement surface 49. For this reason, movement of the cut paper PS in the +Y direction is more difficult to suppress than when the cut paper PS comes into contact with a member with a higher coefficient of friction than that of the placement surface 49.

[0040] Next, the downstream portion of the cut paper PS that has passed over the placement portion 42 sags in the -Z direction due to its own weight. Here, because the overhanging portion 92 is positioned below the imaginary line V (FIG. 5) in the Z direction, the downstream portion of the cut paper PS is unlikely to come into contact with the overhanging portion 92. For this reason, the sagging downstream portion of the cut paper PS comes into contact with the corner 89 before the overhanging portion 92 does. When corner 89 receives load F from cut paper PS, it is elastically deformed diagonally downward. This increases the contact area between cut paper PS and friction member 82 compared to when cut paper PS comes into contact with the apex of corner 89. The reaction force acting as a restoring force on cut paper PS from corner 89 and the frictional force generated between friction member 82 and cut paper PS stop the downstream part of cut paper PS from moving in the +Y and -Z directions. In other words, cut paper PS remains supported on placement section 42 without falling.

[0041] As described above, according to the loading device 30, the cut paper PS discharged from the discharge section 24 is placed on the placement section 42 while being moved in the +Y direction. Here, because the contact surface 84 of the friction member 82 is located at a position lower than the height position of the downstream end 42A in the Z direction, the downstream end of the cut paper PS in the +Y direction is less likely to come into contact with the friction member 82, and restriction of movement of the cut paper PS in the +Y direction on the placement section 42 can be suppressed. Furthermore, if the length of the cut paper PS in the +Y direction is longer than the length of the mounting section 42 in the +Y direction, the downstream part of the cut paper PS moving on the mounting section 42 will protrude from the mounting section 42 and sag under its own weight. Here, when the contact surface 84 comes into contact with the back surface PT of the cut paper PS, a frictional force acts on the cut paper PS in the direction opposite to the +Y direction, preventing the cut paper PS from falling off the mounting section 42. Also, when a second cut paper PS is placed on the first cut paper PS, the first cut paper PS is prevented from being pushed out by the second cut paper PS. The same applies to the third and subsequent cut paper PS. In this way, even if the length of the mounting portion 42 in the +Y direction is shorter than the length of the cut paper PS in the +Y direction, the cut paper PS is held in a state where it is placed on the mounting portion 42, so the loading device 30 can be made smaller than a configuration that uses a mounting portion of the same length as the cut paper PS.

[0042] According to the loading device 30, the distance between the back surface PT of the cut paper PS and the friction member 82 is shorter than in a configuration in which the length L1 corresponding to the difference between the height position of the downstream end 42A in the Z direction and the height position of the contact surface 84 is longer than the length L2 of the contact surface 84 in the +Y direction, making it easier to bring the back surface PT into contact with the friction member 82. According to the loading device 30, the frictional force acting on the back surface PT of the cut paper PS is greater than in a configuration in which the friction coefficient of the friction member 82 and the friction coefficient of the loading section 42 are equal, so that the cut paper PS is easier to hold when placed on the loading section 42.

[0043] According to the loading device 30, the area of ​​the adhesive surface 82A is larger than in a configuration in which the Z-direction length L3 of the adhesive surface 82A is shorter than the +Y-direction length L2 of the contact surface 84, thereby preventing the friction member 82 from peeling off from the side surface 54A. According to the loading device 30, when the back surface PT of the cut paper PS comes into contact with the friction member 82, the friction member 82 elastically deforms, thereby expanding the contact area between the back surface PT and the friction member 82, making it even easier to hold the cut paper PS.

[0044] According to the loading device 30, the overhanging portion 92 covers the space between the front plate 54 and the friction member 82 from above, making it difficult for the downstream end of the cut paper PS to enter between the front plate 54 and the friction member 82, thereby preventing the friction member 82 from peeling off from the side surface 54A. Also, by abutting the friction member 82 against the overhanging portion 92, the overhanging portion 92 can be used as a positioning portion for the friction member 82. Furthermore, even if the adhesive or glue used to attach the friction member 82 to the front plate 54 protrudes in the +Z direction, the overhanging portion 92 covers the space between the front plate 54 and the friction member 82 from above, preventing the adhesive or glue from adhering to the cut paper PS.

[0045] According to the loading device 30, since the eave portion 92 is positioned below the imaginary line V in the Z direction, the eave portion 92 is less likely to come into contact with the back surface PT compared to the downstream end of the contact surface 84, and therefore the eave portion 92 can be prevented from restricting contact between the back surface PT and the contact surface 84. With the loading device 30, the cut paper PS discharged from the discharge section 24 is first moved diagonally upward along the slope 51. As a result, part of the cut paper PS is arranged in a mountain shape in the +Y direction, which makes the arrangement of the cut paper PS more stable against forces acting in the +Y direction compared to a configuration in which the cut paper PS is linear in the +Y direction, and therefore makes it possible to prevent the cut paper PS from falling off the placement section 42.

[0046] The recording system 1 can provide the same effects as the loading device 30. Furthermore, the recording system 1 can prevent multiple cut-sheets PS from falling and can be made smaller in size.

[0047] [Embodiment 2] Next, a loading device 100 of a second embodiment, which is an example of a medium loading device, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that parts common to the loading device 30 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Also, the loading device 100 is provided in place of the loading device 30 in the printer 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the printer 10 and the recording system 1 will be omitted.

[0048] 7 shows a part of the loading device 100. The loading device 100 includes a front plate 102 and a friction member 104 instead of the front plate 54, the friction member 82, and the eaves portion 92 of the loading device 30 (FIG. 5). The parts of the loading device 100 other than the front plate 102 and the friction member 104 are the same as those of the loading device 30. The front plate 102 is an example of an attachment portion to which the friction member 104 is attached. The front plate 102 has a predetermined thickness in the +Y direction, and is disposed along the XZ plane. The front plate 102 is formed in a rectangular shape whose dimension in the X direction is greater than its dimension in the Z direction when viewed from the +Y direction. A side surface 102A of the front plate 102 in the +Y direction is exposed. The end surface in the +Z direction of the front plate 102 is defined as the upper surface 102B. In the Z direction, the height position of the upper surface 102B is lower than the height position of the placement surface 49. In this way, the downstream end 42A is formed with a step portion 103 in which the height position in the Z direction is lower on the downstream side in the +Y direction than on the upstream side. In other words, the step portion 103 is formed by the side surface 55 and the upper surface 102B.

[0049] The friction member 104 is disposed downstream of the downstream end 42A of the mounting portion 42 in the +Y direction and so as to form a step portion 103. The friction member 104 is formed, for example, in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. The friction member 104 is formed in a rectangular shape whose dimension in the X direction is greater than its dimension in the Y direction when viewed from the +Z direction. For example, Eptsealer (registered trademark) can be used as the friction member 104. The friction member 104 is an example of an elastic member that is able to restore its original shape when an external force is applied thereto. The dynamic friction coefficient μ3 between the friction member 104 and the cut paper PS is greater than the dynamic friction coefficient μ2 between the friction member 104 and the cut paper PS of the mounting section 42. Note that the dynamic friction coefficients μ2 and μ3 are not shown in the figure. The friction member 104 also has a contact surface 105 that can come into contact with the back surface PT of the cut paper PS that faces the placement portion 42 .

[0050] The contact surface 105 extends at least in the +Y direction at a position lower than the height position of the downstream end 42A in the Z direction. Specifically, the contact surface 105 is, for example, composed of an upper surface 106 of the friction member 104 in the +Z direction and an end surface 107 of the friction member 104 in the +Y direction. As an example, the top surface 106 is a plane along the XY plane. As an example, the end surface 107 is a plane along the XZ plane. A portion consisting of the end surface of the top surface 106 in the +Y direction and the end surface 107 in the +Z direction is defined as a corner 108. A length L7 corresponding to the difference in height between the downstream end 42A and the contact surface 105 in the Z direction is shorter than a length L8 of the contact surface 105 in the +Y direction. The friction member 104 is attached from the +Z direction to the upper surface 102B of the front panel 102. The length L8 in the Y direction of the attachment surface 104A of the friction member 104 attached to the upper surface 102B is longer than the length L7 of the side surface 55 in the +Z direction.

[0051] Next, the operation of the loading device 100 will be described. According to the loading device 100, since the friction member 104 is supported by the step portion 103, the friction member 104 can be prevented from falling off the placement portion .

[0052] [Embodiment 3] Next, a loading device 110 of embodiment 3, which is an example of a medium loading device, will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Note that parts common to the respective parts of the loading device 30 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Also, the loading device 110 is provided in place of the loading device 30 in the printer 10 of embodiment 1. Therefore, a description of the printer 10 and the recording system 1 will be omitted.

[0053] 8 shows a part of the loading device 110. The loading device 110 has a configuration different from that of the loading device 30 (FIG. 5) in that a tapered surface 112 is formed on the friction member 82. The portions other than the tapered surface 112 are the same as those of the loading device 30. The tapered surface 112 is an example of a part of the contact surface 84. The tapered surface 112 is a portion whose height position downstream in the +Y direction is lower than its height position upstream. In other words, the tapered surface 112 is an inclined surface formed by cutting the corner 89 (FIG. 5) diagonally when viewed from the X direction. The tapered surface 112 is formed in a portion of the friction member 82 that comes into contact with the back surface PT of the cut paper PS.

[0054] Next, the operation of the loading device 110 will be described. According to the loading device 110, when the downstream portion of the cut paper PS moving in the +Y direction hangs down beyond the loading section 42, the height position of a portion of the contact surface 84 also drops in accordance with the drop in the height position of the back surface PT, thereby preventing the hanging portion of the cut paper PS from receiving more reaction force than necessary in the +Y direction due to contact with the friction member 82. Furthermore, by forming the tapered surface 112, the contact area between the friction member 82 and the cut paper PS can be increased, and the leading end, which is the downstream end, of the cut paper PS can be prevented from getting caught on the friction member 82.

[0055] The printer 10 and loading devices 30, 100, 110 according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention are basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit some parts of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0056] In the loading device 30, a length L1 corresponding to the difference in height between the downstream end 42A and the contact surface 84 in the Z direction may be longer than the length of the contact surface 84 in the +Y direction. The length L3 in the Z direction of the attachment surface 82A attached to the side surface 54A of the friction member 82 may be shorter than the length L2 of the contact surface 84 in the +Y direction. The friction member 82 is not limited to an elastic member such as sponge or rubber, and may be a member made of resin. The friction member 82 may be attached to the side surface of the downstream end portion 42A in the +Y direction. The overhanging portion 92 may extend in the +Y direction from the downstream end portion 42A. The overhanging portion 92 may be located above the imaginary line V in the Z direction. The mounting portion 42 may have a mounting surface constituted by the flat surface 52 alone.

[0057] The configuration of the printer 10 is not limited to a configuration that includes a cutting unit 22 that cuts the roll paper PR, and may be a configuration that uses an already cut sheet-shaped medium. The recording unit 18 may be either a serial type recording head or a line head. The processing device is not limited to the inkjet printer 10, but may be an electrophotographic printer. Furthermore, the processing device is not limited to a printer, but may be, for example, a device that applies a coating to the surface of a medium. The arrangement of the sheets P in the stacking devices 30, 100, and 110 is not limited to a center registration method in which the center of the sheet P is aligned with the center of the device in the X direction, but may be a side registration method in which the sheet P is arranged by being shifted in the +X or -X direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1...recording system, 10...printer, 12...casing, 13...side wall, 14...storage section, 16: conveying section, 17: conveying roller, 18: recording section, 19: discharge port, 22: cutting section, 24: discharge unit, 25: support base, 26: control unit, 28: discharge roller pair, 30: loading device, 31: device body, 32: base, 34: leg frame, 35: caster, 36...support frame, 38...lower frame, 39...wall portion, 41...upper frame, 42: placement portion, 42A: downstream end portion, 43: first placement portion, 44: second placement portion, 45... third placement portion, 46... main body portion, 48... vertical plate, 49... placement surface, 51... inclined surface, 52...flat surface, 54...front plate, 54A...side surface, 54B...upper surface, 55...side surface, 56...connection portion, 61: stepped portion; 66: opposing portion; 72: pressing portion; 74: pressing member; 82: friction member; 82A...Adhesive surface, 84...Contact surface, 85...Top surface, 86...End surface, 89...Corner part, 92...Eave part, 100: loading device, 102: front plate, 102A: side surface, 102B: upper surface, 103: step portion, 104...Friction member, 104A...Adhesion surface, 105...Contact surface, 106...Top surface, 107...End surface, 108...corner portion, 110...loading device, 112...tapered surface, K1...transport path, K2...transport path, L1...length, L2...length, L3...length, L4...length, L5...length, L6...length, L7...length, L8...length, L9...length, P...paper, PR...Roll paper, PS...Cut paper, PT...Back side, Q...Ink, V...Virtual line

Claims

1. A medium stacking device on which media discharged from a discharge unit of a processing device is stacked, a placement section on which at least one sheet of the medium discharged from the discharge section is placed; a friction member disposed downstream of a downstream end of the placement section in a direction of movement of the medium on the placement section, the friction member having a contact surface capable of contacting a back surface of the medium facing the placement section, the contact surface has a length at least in the movement direction at a position lower than a height position of the downstream end in the device height direction, The friction member is attached to a side surface of a component member constituting the downstream end in the moving direction or a side surface of an attachment part arranged downstream of the downstream end, a length of an attachment surface attached to the side surface of the friction member in the device height direction is longer than a length of the contact surface in the movement direction; A medium loading device.

2. A medium stacking device on which media discharged from a discharge unit of a processing device is stacked, a placement section on which at least one sheet of the medium discharged from the discharge section is placed; a friction member disposed downstream of a downstream end of the placement section in a direction of movement of the medium on the placement section, the friction member having a contact surface capable of contacting a back surface of the medium facing the placement section, the contact surface has a length at least in the movement direction at a position lower than a height position of the downstream end in the device height direction, A step portion is formed in the component member constituting the downstream end, the step portion being lower in height downstream in the moving direction than upstream, The friction member is disposed at the step portion. A medium loading device.

3. 3. The medium loading device according to claim 1, a side portion located downstream of the downstream end in the moving direction is provided with a visor portion protruding in the moving direction above the friction member in the device height direction; A medium loading device.

4. 4. The medium loading device according to claim 3, the overhanging portion is located below, in the device height direction, a virtual line connecting the downstream end and a downstream end of the contact surface in the moving direction. A medium loading device.

5. A medium stacking device on which media discharged from a discharge unit of a processing device is stacked, a placement section on which at least one sheet of the medium discharged from the discharge section is placed; a friction member disposed downstream of a downstream end of the placement section in a direction of movement of the medium on the placement section, the friction member having a contact surface capable of contacting a back surface of the medium facing the placement section, the contact surface has a length at least in the movement direction at a position lower than a height position of the downstream end in the device height direction, a side portion located downstream of the downstream end in the moving direction is provided with a visor portion protruding in the moving direction above the friction member in the device height direction, the overhanging portion is located below, in the device height direction, a virtual line connecting the downstream end and a downstream end of the contact surface in the moving direction. A medium loading device.

6. The medium loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a length corresponding to a difference between a height position of the downstream end and a height position of the contact surface in the device height direction is shorter than a length of the contact surface in the moving direction; A medium loading device.

7. 7. The medium loading device according to claim 1, The friction coefficient of the friction member is greater than the friction coefficient of the placement portion. A medium loading device.

8. The medium loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, At least a part of the contact surface has a portion whose height position downstream in the moving direction is lower than its height position upstream. A medium loading device.

9. The medium stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The friction member is an elastic member. A medium loading device.

10. The medium loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a slope whose position in the device height direction increases from the upstream to the downstream in the moving direction is formed in a portion of the mounting portion upstream of the downstream end; A medium loading device.

11. A recording system including a recording device and a medium loading device, The recording device includes: A storage section for storing a recording medium; a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium from the storage unit; a recording unit that records on the recording medium transported by the transport unit; a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium on which the recording has been performed by the recording unit; Equipped with The medium loading device is a placement section on which at least one recording medium discharged from the discharge section is placed; a friction member disposed downstream of a downstream end of the placement section in a moving direction of the recording medium on the placement section, the friction member having a contact surface capable of contacting a back surface of the recording medium facing the placement section, the contact surface has a length at least in the movement direction at a position lower than a height position of the downstream end in the device height direction, The friction member is attached to a side surface of a component member constituting the downstream end in the moving direction or a side surface of an attachment part arranged downstream of the downstream end, a length of an attachment surface attached to the side surface of the friction member in the device height direction is longer than a length of the contact surface in the movement direction; A recording system comprising:

12. A recording system including a recording device and a medium loading device, The recording device includes: A storage section for storing a recording medium; a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium from the storage unit; a recording unit that records on the recording medium transported by the transport unit; a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium on which the recording has been performed by the recording unit; Equipped with The medium loading device is a placement section on which at least one recording medium discharged from the discharge section is placed; a friction member disposed downstream of a downstream end of the placement section in a moving direction of the recording medium on the placement section, the friction member having a contact surface capable of contacting a back surface of the recording medium facing the placement section, the contact surface has a length at least in the movement direction at a position lower than a height position of the downstream end in the device height direction, A step portion is formed in the component member constituting the downstream end, the step portion being lower in height downstream in the moving direction than upstream, The friction member is disposed at the step portion. A recording system comprising:

13. A recording system including a recording device and a medium loading device, The recording device includes: A storage section for storing a recording medium; a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium from the storage unit; a recording unit that records on the recording medium transported by the transport unit; a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium on which the recording has been performed by the recording unit; Equipped with The medium loading device is a placement section on which at least one recording medium discharged from the discharge section is placed; a friction member disposed downstream of a downstream end of the placement section in a moving direction of the recording medium on the placement section, the friction member having a contact surface capable of contacting a back surface of the recording medium facing the placement section, the contact surface has a length at least in the movement direction at a position lower than a height position of the downstream end in the device height direction, a side portion located downstream of the downstream end in the moving direction is provided with a visor portion protruding in the moving direction above the friction member in the device height direction, the overhanging portion is located below, in the device height direction, a virtual line connecting the downstream end and a downstream end of the contact surface in the moving direction. A recording system comprising:

14. The recording system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, the recording medium is roll paper, the recording device has a cutting unit that cuts the roll paper recorded by the recording unit into cut sheets; The placement section is capable of loading a plurality of cut sheets of paper. A recording system comprising:

Images