Media Loading Device and Recording System

Abstract

To solve a problem in that a downstream end of a medium ejected next may be caught by a folded portion of a medium that has already been ejected, with a result that a stacking failure may occur.SOLUTION: In a stacking device 30, paper strips PS ejected from an ejection unit 24 are stacked. The stacking device 30 includes a placing unit 42 and a correcting unit 82. The placing unit 42 is provided on a device body 31, and at least one paper strip PS ejected from the ejection unit 24 is placed thereon. The correcting unit 82 is disposed downstream of the placing unit 42 in a +Y direction and corrects a curl in a paper strip PS by contact with the paper strip PS moving in the +Y direction from the placing unit 42. Further, the correcting unit 82 has a contact surface 86 extending in an intersection direction intersecting the +Y direction such that a position in a Z direction becomes lower from an upstream side toward a downstream side in the +Y direction and disposed in contact with the paper strip PS.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The receiving device for a recording medium described in Patent Document 1 receives relatively large-sized printing paper discharged after recording with a sheet member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a device where a relatively large-sized medium with a relatively long length in the discharge direction is discharged to a placement part, like the device of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that a part of the medium may protrude downstream from the downstream end part in the discharge direction in the placement part. Here, the downstream part of the large-sized medium discharged to the placement part may curl upward in a cylindrical shape in a direction where the end position in the width direction of the medium moves away from the placement part. However, if this downstream part curls in a cylindrical shape and goes over the placement part, the downstream part will drop due to its own weight, and the curled part will be folded. In this case, the downstream end part of the next discharged medium may get caught on the folded part of the already discharged medium, and there is a risk of stacking failure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The media loading device according to the present invention for solving the above problems is a media loading device on which media discharged from a discharge unit of a processing device is loaded. It is provided in a device main body and includes a placement unit on which at least one piece of the media discharged from the discharge unit is placed, and a correction unit that is arranged downstream of the placement unit in the moving direction of the media on the placement unit and corrects the curl of the media by contacting the media moving in the moving direction from the placement unit. The correction unit has at least one contact surface that extends in a crossing direction intersecting the moving direction and contacts the media so that the position in the device height direction decreases from upstream to downstream in the moving direction.

[0006] The recording system according to the present invention for solving the above problems is a recording system including a recording device and a media loading device. The recording device includes a storage unit that stores roll paper, a conveyance unit that conveys the roll paper from the storage unit, a recording unit that records on the roll paper conveyed by the conveyance unit, a cutting unit that forms single-sheet paper as a medium by cutting the roll paper recorded by the recording unit, and a discharge unit that discharges the single-sheet paper. The media loading device includes a placement unit on which at least one piece of the single-sheet paper discharged from the discharge unit is placed, and a correction unit that is arranged downstream of the placement unit in the moving direction of the single-sheet paper on the placement unit and corrects the curl of the single-sheet paper by contacting the single-sheet paper moving in the moving direction from the placement unit. The correction unit has at least one contact surface that extends in a crossing direction intersecting the moving direction and contacts the single-sheet paper so that the position in the device height direction decreases from upstream to downstream in the moving direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, the first aspect to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention will be schematically described. The medium loading device according to the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a medium loading device on which the medium discharged from the discharge part of the processing device is loaded, and is provided on the device main body, and is provided with a placement part on which at least one of the media discharged from the discharge part is placed, and a correcting part that is arranged downstream of the placement part in the moving direction of the medium on the placement part and corrects the curl of the medium by contacting the medium moving in the moving direction from the placement part, and the correcting part has at least one contact surface that extends in the crossing direction that crosses the moving direction and contacts the medium so that the position in the device height direction becomes lower from the upstream to the downstream in the moving direction. According to this aspect, when a part of the medium moving on the placement part is in a curled state where it warps upward in the device height direction and protrudes downstream from the placement part, a part of the medium contacts the contact surface of the correction part. Here, since the contact surface extends in the crossing direction such that the position in the device height direction decreases from the upstream to the downstream in the moving direction, a part of the medium that contacts the contact surface is corrected in a direction opposite to the warping direction. Thereby, when a part of the medium protruding from the placement part hangs down by its own weight, folding of a part of the medium is suppressed. Therefore, when the next medium is placed on the placement part, it is possible to suppress a stacking defect in which the next medium gets caught on the previous medium. Furthermore, according to this aspect, since it is possible to suppress a stacking defect of the medium even when the length of the placement part in the moving direction is made shorter than the length of the medium in the moving direction, the placement part can be miniaturized.

[0009] The medium stacking device according to the second aspect is, in the first aspect, characterized in that the device main body includes a facing part facing the placement part above the placement part in the device height direction, and the correction part is provided on the facing part. According to this aspect, since the correction part is provided on the facing part of the device main body and is supported by the facing part, it is not necessary to separately prepare a member for supporting the correction part.

[0010] The medium stacking device according to the third aspect is, in the second aspect, characterized in that the position of the downstream end part of the facing part in the moving direction is aligned with the position of the downstream end part of the placement part in the moving direction, and the correction part is provided at the downstream end of the facing part in the moving direction. According to this aspect, the position of the downstream end part of the placement part and the position of the downstream end part of the facing part are aligned in the moving direction. Thereby, a part of the medium protruding from the placement part does not contact the facing part and contacts the correction part. Thereby, in a part of the medium protruding from the placement part, curling can be corrected at an early stage.

[0011] In the media loading device according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, in the device height direction, the height position of the downstream end portion of the correction unit in the moving direction thereof is aligned with the height position of the downstream end portion of the placement unit in the moving direction thereof. According to this aspect, the height position of the downstream end portion of the correction unit is aligned with the height position of the downstream end portion of the placement unit. For this reason, when the medium having relatively high rigidity and being difficult to curl is discharged and the medium moves substantially straight downstream from the placement unit, even if the medium contacts the correction unit, the medium can easily pass over the correction unit. That is, when the medium having relatively high rigidity is used, it is possible to suppress the medium from being caught by the correction unit.

[0012] In the media loading device according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, in the device height direction, the height position of the downstream end portion of the correction unit in the moving direction thereof is located below the height position of the downstream end portion of the placement unit in the moving direction thereof. According to this aspect, since the height position of the downstream end portion of the correction unit is located below the height position of the downstream end portion of the placement unit, it is possible to suppress a part of the medium having relatively low rigidity from passing through the lower end of the correction unit and advancing in the moving direction.

[0013] In the media loading device according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the correction unit is provided so as to be displaceable between a correction position when correcting the medium and a retracted position when being separated from the correction position with respect to the placement unit. According to this aspect, when using the medium having relatively high rigidity and being difficult to curl, by displacing the correction unit to the retracted position, the correction unit is not located in the moving direction of the medium, so that it is possible to suppress the medium from being caught by the correction unit.

[0014] In the media loading device according to the seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, a pressing member for pressing the correction unit downward in the device height direction is provided. When the relatively rigid medium contacts the correction unit, the correction unit may be displaced in the moving direction by receiving a relatively strong pressing force from the medium. Here, according to this aspect, against the pressing force from the medium, not only the reaction force of the correction unit but also the pressing force of the pressing member is resisted, so that the displacement of the correction unit can be suppressed.

[0015] The medium loading device according to the eighth aspect has, in the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect, a driving unit that drives the correction unit to one of the correction position and the retracted position, and a control unit that controls the driving of the driving unit in accordance with the medium. According to this aspect, since the control unit controls the driving of the driving unit in accordance with the medium, the position of the correction unit is switched, so that when using the medium with relatively low rigidity, the correction unit is not arranged at the retracted position.

[0016] The medium loading device according to the ninth aspect has, in the eighth aspect, the control unit positions the correction unit at the correction position when the medium is thin paper having a thickness thinner than the set thickness and high-density recording is performed on the medium using a liquid at a density higher than the set density. According to this aspect, even if the curl generated in the thin paper becomes relatively large due to the swelling of the thin paper by the liquid, the correction unit is positioned at the correction position, so that the curl of the thin paper can be corrected.

[0017] The medium loading device according to the tenth aspect has, in any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, the correction unit is arranged at intervals in the medium width direction intersecting both the moving direction and the device height direction, and has a plurality of contact surfaces that contact both end portions of the medium in the medium width direction. According to this aspect, when the media having different sizes in the media width direction are used, both end portions of the media in the media width direction, where curling is likely to occur, are brought into contact with the contact surface regardless of the size in the media width direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the situation where curling is not corrected when the size of the media is changed.

[0018] The media loading device according to the 11th aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the 1st aspect to the 10th aspect, when viewed from the media width direction intersecting both the moving direction and the device height direction, the contact surface extends linearly. According to this aspect, the locus described by the leading end of the media in the moving direction is linear rather than curved, that is, it is the locus of the shortest distance. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the contact surface is curved when viewed from the media width direction, it is possible to suppress the increase in the moving path of the media.

[0019] The media loading device according to the 12th aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the 1st aspect to the 11th aspect, on a portion of the placement portion upstream of the downstream end portion in the moving direction, a slope is formed such that the position in the device height direction increases from upstream to downstream in the moving direction. According to this aspect, the media discharged from the discharge portion is once moved obliquely upward along the slope. As a result, a part of the media in the moving direction is in a mountain-shaped arrangement state, and compared with the configuration in which the media is linear in the moving direction, the arrangement state of the media is stabilized with respect to the force acting in the moving direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the media from falling from the placement portion.

[0020] The recording system according to the 13th aspect is a recording system including a recording device and a medium loading device. The recording device includes a storage unit for storing a roll paper, a transport unit for transporting the roll paper from the storage unit, a recording unit for recording on the roll paper transported by the transport unit, a cutting unit for forming a single sheet of paper as a medium by cutting the roll paper recorded by the recording unit, and a discharge unit for discharging the single sheet of paper. The medium loading device includes a placement unit on which at least one single sheet of paper discharged from the discharge unit is placed, and a correction unit disposed downstream of the placement unit in the moving direction of the single sheet of paper on the placement unit and contacting the single sheet of paper moving in the moving direction from the placement unit to correct the curl of the single sheet of paper. The correction unit has at least one contact surface extending in a crossing direction crossing the moving direction and contacting the single sheet of paper such that the position in the device height direction decreases from upstream to downstream in the moving direction. According to this aspect, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

[0021] Hereinafter, an example of the recording system and the medium loading device of the present invention will be specifically described. In each figure, the X direction along the X axis is an example of the device width direction and the medium width direction of the loading devices 30, 90, 100, and 110 described later. The -X direction is the left direction as seen from 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, 90, 100, and 110. The +Y direction is the direction from the back of the device to the front and is an example of the moving direction in the placement unit 42 of the single sheet of paper PS described later. The -Y direction is the direction from the front of the device to the back. The X direction and the Y direction are horizontal directions. The Z direction along the Z axis is the device height direction and the vertical direction of the loading devices 30, 90, 100, and 110. The +Z direction is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are orthogonal to each other. The paper P is an example of a medium and a recording medium. In the following description, for the paper P, the roll-shaped one is referred to as a roll paper PR, and the cut sheet-shaped one is distinguished as a single-sheet paper PS.

[0022] [Embodiment 1] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording system 1 of Embodiment 1 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. Also, the printer 10 is configured as an inkjet printer capable of printing on the paper P sized from A4 to A0 as an example. Note that the classification items of the paper P include not only the size but also the bending rigidity with respect to an external force acting in the out-of-plane direction of the paper P. Photo paper has a relatively large bending rigidity. Plain paper has a smaller bending rigidity than photo paper. In the printer 10, both plain paper and photo paper can be recorded.

[0023] Specifically, the printer 10 includes a storage unit 14, a conveyance unit 16, a recording unit 18, a cutting unit 22, and a discharge unit 24 inside the housing 12. Note that the printer 10 is provided with a control unit 26 that controls the operations of each part of the printer 10. The control unit 26 also functions as a control unit of the loading device 30 described later as an example. The housing 12 has a side wall 13 that constitutes a wall portion in the +Y direction of the housing 12. A discharge port 19 penetrating in the Y direction is formed in the side wall 13. The discharge port 19 has a size through which all the papers P that can be used in the printer 10 can pass.

[0024] The storage unit 14 stores a roll paper PR that is rotated around a central axis along the X direction. The conveyance unit 16 has a plurality of conveyance rollers 17. Also, the conveyance unit 16 conveys the roll paper PR drawn out from the storage unit 14 downstream along a conveyance path K1 indicated by a two-dot chain line. The recording unit 18 records on the roll paper PR conveyed by the conveying unit 16 using ink Q as an example of a liquid. Note that the roll paper PR is conveyed in the +Y direction in the region facing the recording unit 18. Also, the recording unit 18 is located in the +Z direction with respect to the roll paper PR. In other words, recording is performed on the upper surface of the roll paper PR in the +Z direction.

[0025] The cutting unit 22 forms single-sheet paper PS as a medium by cutting the roll paper PR recorded by the recording unit 18. The discharging unit 24 includes a support base 25 disposed downstream of the cutting unit 22 and a pair of discharging rollers 28. The support base 25 supports the single-sheet paper PS and guides it to the discharge port 19. The pair of discharging rollers 28 discharges the single-sheet paper PS to the outside from the discharge port 19 by feeding the single-sheet paper PS into the discharge port 19 via the support base 25. The single-sheet paper PS discharged from the discharge port 19 is conveyed to the stacking device 30 along the conveying path K2 indicated by the two-dot chain line. Note that path configuration members (not shown) are arranged in the conveying path K2.

[0026] Next, the stacking device 30 will be described. The stacking device 30 stacks the single-sheet paper PS discharged from the discharging unit 24. The stacking device 30 also includes a device main body 31 and a correcting unit 82 that corrects the single-sheet paper PS. The device main body 31 includes, as an example, a base 32, a placement portion 42 provided on the base 32 on which the single-sheet paper PS is placed, a facing portion 66 facing the placement portion 42 in the Z direction, and a pressing portion 72 that presses the single-sheet paper PS. The facing portion 66 faces the placement portion 42 above the placement portion 42 in the +Z direction in the Z direction. Also, the facing portion 66 is provided in five numbers at intervals in the X direction as an example. The correcting unit 82 is provided in five numbers at intervals in the X direction as an example. Also, the correcting unit 82 is provided at the downstream end portion 66A in the +Y direction of the facing portion 66.

[0027] The base 32 is configured to include a leg frame 34 standing upright in the Z direction, a caster 35 rotatably provided at the -Z direction end of the leg frame 34, and a support frame 36 provided at the +Z direction end of the leg frame 34. And the base 32 supports a placement portion 42, an opposing portion 66, a pressing portion 72, and a correcting portion 82 from the -Z direction. In this way, the stacking 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, wall portions 39 standing upright in the +Z direction from both ends in the X direction of the lower frame 38, and an upper frame 41 connecting the +Z direction ends of the wall portions 39 in the X direction. Note that a columnar support shaft 51 extending along the X direction is provided on the upper frame 41.

[0028] At least one single ticket paper PS discharged from the discharge portion 24 is placed on the placement portion 42. The moving direction of the single ticket paper PS on the placement portion 42 is, for example, the +Y direction. The placement portion 42 is, for example, composed of a first placement portion 43, a second placement portion 44, and a third placement portion 45 arranged from upstream to downstream in the +Y direction. The first placement portion 43 and the second placement portion 44 are directly supported by the base 32. The third placement portion 45 extends downstream from the +Y direction end of the second placement portion 44 and is indirectly supported by the base 32 via the second placement portion 44.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the third placement portion 45 has, for example, six main body portions 46 arranged at intervals in the X direction and five connecting portions 56 connecting the six main body portions 46 in the X direction.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body portion 46 is configured to include a plurality of vertical plates 48 arranged at intervals 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 Y-Z plane. Also, the vertical plates 48 extend in the +Y direction. The upper surface 49 in the +Z direction of the vertical plate 48 is, for example, included in a placement surface 62 described later and is configured in the same manner as the placement surface 62. The front plate 54 has a predetermined thickness in the +Y direction and is arranged along the X-Z plane. Further, the front plate 54 is formed in a rectangular shape in which the dimension in the X direction is larger than the dimension in the Z direction when viewed from the +Y direction.

[0031] The connecting portion 56 includes, as an example, a plurality of vertical plates 58 arranged at intervals in the X direction and a bottom plate 59 connecting the plurality of vertical plates 58 in the X direction. The vertical plate 58 has a predetermined thickness in the X direction and is arranged along the Y-Z plane. The interval in the X direction of the plurality of vertical plates 58 is wider than the interval in the X direction of the plurality of vertical plates 48. Further, the vertical plate 58 extends in the +Y direction. Note that the width of the main body portion 46 in the X direction and the width of the connecting portion 56 in the X direction are of the same magnitude.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, a mounting surface 62 is formed at the +Z direction end of the vertical plate 58. The mounting surface 62 has, as an example, an inclined surface 63 and a flat surface 64. The inclined surface 63 is formed at a portion upstream of the downstream end portion 42A in the +Y direction in the mounting portion 42. Further, the inclined surface 63 is located upstream of the flat surface 64. Specifically, the inclined surface 63 is a surface whose position in the +Z direction becomes higher from the upstream to the downstream in the +Y direction. In other words, the inclined surface 63 is a surface that extends obliquely upward such that the height position in the Z direction of the end portion in the +Y direction is higher than the height position in the Z direction of the end portion in the -Y direction. The flat surface 64 is a surface along the X-Y plane. When viewed from the X direction, let the intersection point of the line representing the inclined surface 63 and the line representing the flat surface 64 be point A. Let the end point in the +Y direction of the flat surface 64 be point B. Let the straight line obtained by extending the line segment AB in the +Y direction be the horizontal reference line M. Let the straight line passing through point B and along the Z direction be the vertical reference line N.

[0033] The five opposing portions 66 are supported by the upper frame 41 (FIG. 1) and extend from the upper frame 41 in the +Y direction. Further, the five opposing portions 66 are arranged in the +Z direction with respect to the mounting portion 42. The portion in the +Y direction from the center in the Y direction of the five opposing portions 66 faces the connecting portion 56 in the Z direction, but does not face the main body portion 46 (FIG. 3). The five opposing portions 66 are arranged to be symmetric with respect to the center in the X direction. Among the five opposing portions 66, one in the +X direction and one in the -X direction are arranged at positions where they can face both ends of the single sheet of paper PS in the X direction. As an example, the later-described second frame 68B of the opposing portion 66 and the later-described correcting portion 82 are integrated. For this reason, the opposing portion 66 shall refer to the portion in the -Y direction from the vertical reference line N when viewed in the X direction. The position of the downstream end portion 66A in the +Y direction of the opposing portion 66 is aligned with the position of the downstream end portion 42A in the +Y direction of the placement portion 42.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the five opposing portions 66 are connected by a connecting rod 73 extending in the X direction. Gripping portions 75 that are gripped by the user are provided at both ends of the connecting rod 73 in the X direction. The gripping portion 75 is used when manually rotating a later-described rotating portion 68 (FIG. 4) among the opposing portions 66.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, when viewed in the X direction, the opposing portion 66 has a fixed portion 67 and a rotating portion 68. The fixed portion 67 is fixed to the upper frame 41 using screws (not shown). The rotating portion 68 is arranged downstream in the +Y direction with respect to the fixed portion 67. The end portion in the -Y direction of the rotating portion 68 is connected to the support shaft 51 of the upper frame 41. Thereby, the rotating portion 68 is made rotatable around the support shaft 51. When the length of the single sheet of paper PS to be placed is short, by storing the rotating portion 68 in the upper frame 41, it becomes easier to take out the single sheet of paper PS from the placement portion 42. In the stored state of the rotating portion 68, a part of the rotating portion 68 is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown), thereby restricting rotation. Thereby, the rotating portion 68 is held in a posture along the Y direction.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface 69 of the opposing portion 66 in the -Z direction is, as an example, a plane along the X-Y plane. The size of the space portion 71 between the lower surface 69 and the placement surface 62 in the Z direction is set to be the size that allows the single sheet of paper PS of each size to move in the +Y direction. Further, the size of the space portion 71 is preset so that the curled single sheet of paper PS and the lower surface 69 do not come into contact. That is, the lower surface 69 does not correct the curl of the single sheet of paper PS. Note that, as an example, the rotating portion 68 has a first frame 68A rotatably connected to the support shaft 51, and a second frame 68B rotatably connected to the first frame 68A via a rotation shaft 61.

[0037] The pressing portion 72 is composed of a plurality of pressing members 74 provided at intervals in the Y direction in the opposing portion 66. In FIG. 5, the pressing member 74 located most downstream in the +Y direction is shown. The pressing member 74 extends obliquely downward from the opposing portion 66 such that the downstream end in the +Y direction is located in the -Z direction from the upstream end. One end portion in the extending direction of the pressing member 74 is rotatably connected to the opposing portion 66. A roller (not shown) is rotatably supported at the tip portion, which is the other end portion in the extending direction of the pressing member 74. The outer peripheral surface of the roller can come into contact with the upper surface of the single sheet of paper PS located most in the +Z direction among the stacked single sheets of paper PS. When looking from the X direction, the position of the lower end of the pressing member 74 is defined as point C. Point C is located upstream of point A in the +Y direction. When the stacking amount of the stacked single sheets of paper PS changes, the pressing member 74 swings to change its height position in the Z direction. Note that the pressing member 74 does not correct the curl at both ends of the single sheet of paper PS in the X direction.

[0038] The correcting portion 82 is arranged downstream of the placement portion 42 in the +Y direction of the single sheet of paper PS at the placement portion 42. Further, the correcting portion 82 is provided one by one at each opposing portion 66 with an interval in the X direction. Specifically, the correcting portion 82 is provided at the downstream end portion 66A in the +Y direction of the opposing portion 66. In other words, the correcting portion 82 is provided at the rotating portion 68. The correcting portion 82 is a portion that extends obliquely downward from the downstream end portion 66A, and the height position in the Z direction becomes lower as it goes downstream in the +Y direction. Further, the correcting portion 82 is a portion disposed downstream in the +Y direction from the vertical reference line N. Then, the correcting portion 82 corrects the curl of the single sheet of paper PS by contacting a part of the single sheet of paper PS that moves in the +Y direction from the placing portion 42.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, as an example, the correcting portion 82 includes four correcting plates 84 arranged at intervals in the X direction, and an upper plate 85 that covers the four correcting plates 84 from the +Z direction and connects them in the X direction. Each of the four correcting plates 84 has a contact surface 86 (FIG. 5) that contacts the single sheet of paper PS. That is, the correcting portion 82 has four contact surfaces 86. The four contact surfaces 86 are arranged at intervals in the X direction orthogonal to both the +Y direction and the Z direction, and contact both end portions of the single sheet of paper PS in the X direction. In the following description, one contact surface 86 will be described, and the description of the remaining three contact surfaces 86 will be omitted.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the contact surface 86 extends in an intersecting direction that intersects the +Y direction such that the position in the Z direction becomes lower from the upstream to the downstream in the +Y direction. Further, the contact surface 86 extends linearly when viewed from the X direction. That is, the four contact surfaces 86 are inclined surfaces. When viewed from the X direction, let the upstream end point of the contact surface 86 in the +Y direction be point D. Point D is on the vertical reference line N. Also, let the downstream end point of the contact surface 86 in the +Y direction be point E. Point E is the point that is the lower end of the correcting plate 84 in the Z direction. The contact surface 86 is represented by the line segment DE.

[0041] Point B and point E are each on the horizontal reference line M. That is, the height of the flat surface 64 and the height of the downstream end of the contact surface 86 are aligned at the same height. In other words, in the Z direction, the height position of a part of the downstream end portion 82A of the correcting portion 82 in the +Y direction is aligned with the height position of the downstream end portion 42A of the placing portion 42 in the +Y direction. Let the angle ∠BED be the inclination angle θ of the correction unit 82. As an example, the inclination angle θ is 20 [°]. The inclination angle θ can be set within a range that can correct the curl of the single sheet of paper PS. However, in order to make the relatively rigid paper P movable and suppress the enlargement of the loading device 30 in the Y direction, it is preferable to select the inclination angle θ within the range of 15 [°] to 40 [°]. Incidentally, as an example, the length of the line segment BE is 100 [mm].

[0042] Next, the operations of the recording system 1 and the loading device 30 of Embodiment 1 will be described. Regarding each configuration of the recording system 1 and the loading device 30, the description of individual figure numbers will be omitted with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, in the loading device 30, as an example, the case where a single sheet of thin paper PS on which high-density recording has been performed moves on the placement unit 42 will be described. The size of the single sheet of paper PS is the size that the single sheet of paper PS protrudes from the placement surface 62 in the +Y direction. That is, in a state where the single sheet of paper PS is placed on the placement surface 62, the downstream portion of the single sheet of paper PS in the +Y direction protrudes in the +Y direction from the placement surface 62. Here, the single sheet of paper PS becomes in an expanded state in which the ink Q (FIG. 1) penetrates due to recording. For this reason, both end portions of the single sheet of paper PS in the X direction may be in a warped-up state located in the +Z direction from the central portion. Then, the single sheet of paper PS with both end portions in the X direction warped up contacts the contact surface 86 of the correction unit 82 by being moved in the +Y direction as it is.

[0044] FIG. 7 schematically shows a state of a part of the placement unit 42 and a part of the correction unit 82 as viewed from the +Y direction. In order to clarify the state of the single sheet of paper PS, the single sheet of paper PS is shown in a transparent state. The two-dot chain line PS represents the single sheet of paper PS in a curled state with both end portions in the X direction warped up. The solid line PS represents the single sheet of paper PS whose curl has been corrected by the correction unit 82. Of the single sheet PS, the portion protruding from the placement portion 42 in the +Y direction contacts the contact surface 86. Here, since both ends of the single sheet PS in the X direction are in contact with the contact surface 86, the upward warping of both ends of the single sheet PS is corrected so as to approach flatness along the X direction. In other words, the PS indicated by the two-dot chain line is shaped into the PS indicated by the solid line. As a result, when both ends of the single sheet PS hang down by their own weight, it is possible to suppress the formation of folds with the both ends being in a bag shape. When a plurality of single sheets PS are stacked on the placement portion 42, the single sheet PS to be stacked on the single sheet PS already placed on the placement surface 62 will be discharged onto the corrected single sheet PS. For this reason, it is possible to suppress both ends of the next single sheet PS to be stacked from being caught by the already placed single sheet PS. That is, stacking failure of the single sheet PS in the stacking device 30 is suppressed.

[0045] As described above, according to the stacking device 30, when a part of the single sheet PS moving in the placement portion 42 is in a curled state warping upward in the Z direction and protruding downstream from the placement portion 42, a part of the single sheet PS contacts the contact surface 86 of the correction portion 82. Here, since the contact surface 86 extends in the intersecting direction such that the position in the Z direction becomes lower from the upstream to the downstream in the +Y direction, a part of the single sheet PS in contact with the contact surface 86 is corrected in the direction opposite to the warping direction. As a result, when a part of the single sheet PS protruding from the placement portion 42 hangs down by its own weight, it is possible to suppress a part of the single sheet PS from being folded, so that when the next single sheet PS is placed on the placement portion 42, it is possible to suppress a stacking failure in which the next single sheet PS is caught by the previous single sheet PS. Furthermore, according to the stacking device 30, even if the length of the placement portion 42 in the +Y direction is made shorter than the length of the single sheet PS in the +Y direction, it is possible to suppress stacking failure of the single sheet PS, so that the placement portion 42 can be miniaturized.

[0046] According to the stacking device 30, since the correction portion 82 is provided on the opposing portion 66 of the device body 31 and is supported by the opposing portion 66, it is not necessary to separately prepare a member for supporting the correction portion 82. According to the stacking device 30, the position of the downstream end portion 42A of the placement portion 42 and the position of the downstream end portion 66A of the opposing portion 66 are aligned in the +Y direction. As a result, a part of the single sheet of paper PS protruding from the placement portion 42 does not contact the opposing portion 66 and contacts the correction portion 82. Thereby, curling can be corrected at an early stage in a part of the single sheet of paper PS protruding from the placement portion 42.

[0047] According to the stacking device 30, the height position of the downstream end portion 82A of the correction portion 82 is aligned with the height position of the downstream end portion 42A of the placement portion 42. For this reason, when a relatively rigid single sheet of paper PS that is less likely to curl is discharged and the single sheet of paper PS moves almost straight downstream from the placement portion 42, even if the single sheet of paper PS contacts the correction portion 82, the single sheet of paper PS can easily pass over the correction portion 82. That is, when a relatively rigid single sheet of paper PS is used, it is possible to suppress the single sheet of paper PS from being caught by the correction portion 82. According to the stacking device 30, when using a relatively rigid single sheet of paper PS that is less likely to curl, by displacing the correction portion 82 to the retracted position, the correction portion 82 is no longer positioned in the +Y direction of the single sheet of paper PS, so it is possible to suppress the relatively rigid single sheet of paper PS from being caught by the correction portion 82. According to the stacking device 30, when single sheets of paper PS having different sizes in the X direction are used, both end portions in the X direction of the single sheet of paper PS that is likely to curl are brought into contact with the contact surface 86 regardless of the size of the single sheet of paper PS in the X direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the curling from not being corrected when the size of the single sheet of paper PS is changed.

[0048] According to the stacking device 30, the locus described by the tip of the single sheet of paper PS in the +Y direction is not curved but linear, that is, the locus of the shortest distance. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the contact surface 86 is curved when viewed from the X direction, it is possible to suppress the movement path of the single sheet of paper PS from becoming longer. According to the loading device 30, the single-sheet paper PS discharged from the discharge unit 24 is once moved obliquely upward along the inclined surface 63. As a result, a part of the single-sheet paper PS in the +Y direction is in a mountain-shaped arrangement state, and compared with a configuration in which the single-sheet paper PS is linear in the +Y direction, the arrangement state of the single-sheet paper PS is stable with respect to the force acting in the +Y direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the single-sheet paper PS from falling from the placement unit 42. According to the printer 10, the same effect as that of the loading device 30 can be obtained.

[0049] Next, a loading device 70, which is a modification of the loading device 30, will be described. For parts common to those of the loading device 30 in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. The loading device 70 is an example of a medium loading device, and in the printer 10 of the first embodiment, it is provided in place of the loading device 30. For this reason, the description of the printer 10 is omitted.

[0050] The correcting unit 82 is provided so as to be displaceable between a correcting position and a retracted position. That is, the correcting unit 82 is displaced from one of the correcting position and the retracted position to the other by rotating. The correcting position is the position of the correcting unit 82 when the correcting unit 82 corrects the curl of the single-sheet paper PS. The retracted position is the position of the correcting unit 82 when the correcting unit 82 is separated from the correcting position.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the loading device 70 has a rotating shaft 61 that rotatably supports a second frame 68B and a correcting unit 82 at an end position of the first frame 68A in the +Y direction. The loading device 70 also has a motor 77 and a control unit 26. A gear (not shown) is attached to the end of the rotating shaft 61 in the +X direction. The motor 77 is an example of a driving unit that drives the second frame 68B with respect to the first frame 68A to drive the correcting unit 82 to one of the correcting position and the retracted position. The motor 77 rotates a gear provided at the end of the rotating shaft 61 in the +X direction. The drive of the motor 77 is controlled by the control unit 26. When a rotation button (not shown) is operated, the control unit 26 operates the motor 77 to displace the correction unit 82 to the retracted position. Further, when an advancement button (not shown) is operated, the control unit 26 operates the motor 77 to displace the correction unit 82 to the correction position.

[0052] The control unit 26 may control the drive of the motor 77 according to the type and size of the paper P. The type of the paper P includes the material and thickness. The size of the paper P means the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension when the paper P is viewed from the out-of-plane direction. Specifically, when the size of the paper P is small, the control unit 26 performs control to position the correction unit 82 at the retracted position, and when the size of the paper P is large, the control unit 26 performs control to position the correction unit 82 at the correction position. Further, when the paper P is thin paper having a thickness thinner than the set thickness and high-density recording is performed on the paper P using the ink Q at a density higher than the set density, the control unit 26 performs control to position the correction unit 82 at the correction position. High-density recording means recording such that the image density of the image recorded on the paper P is higher than the set density. When the paper P is thick paper thicker than thin paper, the control unit 26 performs control to position the correction unit 82 at the retracted position. Further, when the paper P is photo paper, the control unit 26 performs control to position the correction unit 82 at the correction position.

[0053] According to the stacking device 70, since the control unit 26 controls the drive of the motor 77 according to the single-sheet paper PS, the position of the correction unit 82 is switched, so that when using the relatively low-rigidity single-sheet paper PS, the correction unit 82 is not arranged at the retracted position. According to the stacking device 70, even if the curl generated in the thin paper becomes relatively large due to the swelling of the thin paper by the ink Q, the correction unit 82 is positioned at the correction position, so that the curl of the thin paper can be corrected.

[0054] [Embodiment 2] Next, the loading device 90 of Embodiment 2, which is an example of a media loading device, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that parts common to those of the loading device 30 of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the loading device 90 is provided in place of the loading device 30 in the printer 10 of Embodiment 1. For this reason, the description of the printer 10 will be omitted.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows the loading device 90. The loading device 90 includes a correcting unit 92 in place of the correcting unit 82 (FIG. 5) in the loading device 30 (FIG. 5). Note that, in the loading device 90, parts other than the correcting unit 92 are the same as those of the loading device 30 and are common. The correcting unit 92 extends from the downstream end portion 66A of the opposing portion 66 to a position in the -Z direction from the horizontal reference line M. In other words, in the Z direction, the height position of the downstream end portion 92A in the +Y direction of the correcting unit 92 is located below the height position of the downstream end portion 42A of the placing unit 42. Note that the height position of the downstream end portion 92A corresponds to the position of the lower end in the Z direction of the correcting unit 92.

[0056] Specifically, as an example, the correcting unit 92 includes four correcting plates 94 arranged at intervals in the X direction, and an upper plate 95 that covers the four correcting plates 94 from the +Z direction and connects them in the X direction. Each of the four correcting plates 94 has a contact surface 96 that contacts the single-sheet paper PS. That is, the correcting unit 92 has four contact surfaces 96. Note that FIG. 8 shows one correcting unit 92. The four contact surfaces 96 are arranged at intervals in the X direction intersecting both the +Y direction and the Z direction, and contact both end portions in the X direction of the single-sheet paper PS. Further, the four contact surfaces 96 extend in an intersecting direction intersecting the +Y direction such that the position in the Z direction becomes lower from the upstream to the downstream in the +Y direction. Furthermore, the four contact surfaces 96 extend linearly when viewed from the X direction. That is, the four contact surfaces 96 are inclined surfaces.

[0057] When viewed from the X direction, let the upstream end point in the +Y direction on the contact surface 96 be point D. Point D is on the vertical reference line N. Also, let the downstream end point in the +Y direction on the contact surface 96 be point F. Point F is the point that is the lower end of the correction plate 94 in the Z direction. Also, point F is in the +Y direction and -Z direction positions relative to point E. The contact surface 96 is represented by the line segment DF. When viewed from the X direction, the inclination angle of the contact surface 96 with respect to the X-Y plane is, as an example, the aforementioned inclination angle θ.

[0058] Next, the operation of the loading device 90 will be described. According to the loading device 90, since the height position of the downstream end 92A of the correction unit 92 is located below the height position of the downstream end 42A of the placement unit 42, it is possible to suppress a part of the relatively low-rigidity single sheet PS from passing through the lower end in the Z direction of the correction unit 92 and advancing in the +Y direction.

[0059] [Embodiment 3] Next, the loading device 100 of Embodiment 3, which is an example of the media loading device, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regarding the parts common to the respective parts of the loading devices 30 and 90, the same reference numerals will be given and the description thereof will be omitted. Also, the loading device 100 is provided in place of the loading device 30 in the printer 10 of Embodiment 1. For this reason, the description of the printer 10 will be omitted.

[0060] FIG. 9 shows the loading device 100. The loading device 100 has a configuration in which in the loading device 30 (FIG. 5), the motor 77 (FIG. 5) is removed and a torsion spring 102 is provided on the rotation shaft 61. That is, the loading device 100 has a configuration in which the correction unit 82 is rotated manually. Also, the loading device 100 is provided with a button (not shown). When the correction unit 82 is rotated manually, by pressing the button, the pressing force of the torsion spring 102 described later is released and the correction unit 82 becomes rotatable.

[0061] The torsion spring 102 is an example of a pressing member and presses the correction unit 82 downward in the Z direction. Specifically, the torsion spring 102 has a winding portion 103, a first arm portion 104, and a second arm portion 105. A rotation shaft 61 is inserted into the winding portion 103. The first arm portion 104 extends in one direction from one end of the winding portion 103. A part of the first arm portion 104 is attached to the first frame 68A. The second arm portion 105 extends in a direction different from the one direction from the other end of the winding portion 103. A part of the second arm portion 105 is attached to the second frame 68B. In this way, the torsion spring 102 is attached around the rotation shaft 61 to press the correction unit 82 downward in the Z direction. Note that a stopper (not shown) is provided on the first frame 68A so that the second frame 68B does not rotate more than necessary.

[0062] Next, the operation of the loading device 100 will be described. When the relatively rigid single sheet of paper PS contacts the contact surface 86 of the correction unit 82, the correction unit 82 may be displaced in the +Y direction by receiving a relatively strong pressing force from the single sheet of paper PS. Here, according to the loading device 100, against the pressing force from the single sheet of paper PS, not only the reaction force due to the self-weight of the correction unit 82 but also the pressing force of the torsion spring 102 is included to resist, so the displacement of the correction unit 82 can be suppressed. Also, as in Embodiment 2, in the configuration where the correction unit 82 extends from the downstream end portion 66A of the opposing portion 66 to a position -Z direction from the horizontal reference line M, when passing a single sheet of paper PS that is rigid and does not require correction through the position of the correction unit 82, depending on the rigidity of the single sheet of paper PS, it can pass by pushing the correction unit 82 in the +Y direction against its self-weight or its self-weight and the pressing force.

[0063] The printers 10, loading devices 30, 70, 90, 100 according to Embodiments 1 to 3 of the present invention are basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, etc. without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0064] [Modification Example] Next, a loading device 110, which is a modification of the loading device 90 of Embodiment 2, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to each part of the loading device 90, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] FIG. 10 shows the loading device 110. The loading device 110 has a contact surface 112 instead of the contact surface 96 (FIG. 8) in the loading device 90 (FIG. 8). The contact surface 112 is a curved surface and is represented by a curve S that depresses toward the positions in the +Y direction and the +Z direction when viewed from the X direction. Let the intersection point of the curve S and the horizontal reference line M be point G. In other words, the curve S is formed from point D to point F, and point G is located between point D and point F on the curve S. In this way, since the contact surface 112 is formed as the curved surface S, the timing at which the single sheet of paper PS comes into contact with the contact surface 112 can be delayed compared to the configuration of the inclined surface, so that it is possible to suppress the single sheet of paper PS from coming into contact with the contact surface 112 at an early stage and hanging down in the -Z direction.

[0066] [Other Modification Examples] In the loading device 30, the correction unit 82 may be provided at a part other than the opposing part 66 in the device main body 31. For example, the correction unit 82 may be supported by the base 32. Further, the correction unit 82 may be supported at the central part or the upstream part in the +Y direction of the opposing part 66. The rotation of the rotating unit 68 may be performed manually only without using the motor 77. The opposing part 66 may be composed of only the fixing part 67, and the correction unit 82 may be located only at the correction position. The position of the downstream end portion 66A does not have to be aligned with the position of the downstream end portion 42A.

[0067] In the loading device 30, when the single-sheet paper PS is thin paper, the correcting unit 82 may be positioned at the correcting position regardless of the recording density. The correcting unit 82 may be configured as one part extending in the X direction. Accordingly, the contact surface 86 may be one surface. Also, the contact surface 86 may be a curved surface when viewed from the X direction. The placement surface 62 may be composed of only the flat surface 64. Note that the loading devices 70, 90, 100, and 110 can also be configured in the same manner as the loading device 30, except for some of their respective components.

[0068] The recording unit 18 may be either a serial recording head or a line head. The processing device is not limited to the inkjet printer 10, and may be an electrophotographic printer. Further, the processing device is not limited to a printer, and may be, for example, a device for coating the surface of a medium. The arrangement method of the paper P in the loading devices 30, 90, 100, and 110 is not limited to the center registration method of aligning the center in the X direction of the device and the center of the paper P, and may be a side registration method of arranging the paper P shifted in the +X direction or -X direction.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1... recording system, 10... printer, 12... housing, 13... side wall, 14... storage section, 16... conveying section, 17... conveying roller, 18... recording section, 19... discharge port, 22... cutting section, 24... discharging section, 25... support base, 26... control section, 28... pair of discharge rollers, 30... loading device, 31... device main body, 32... base, 34... leg frame, 35... caster, 36... support frame, 38... lower frame, 39... wall section, 41... upper frame, 42... placement section, 42A... downstream end, 43... first placement section, 44... second placement section, 45... third placement section, 46... main body section, 48... vertical plate, 49... upper surface, 51... support shaft, 54... front plate, 56... Connecting part, 58... Vertical plate, 59... Bottom plate, 61... Rotating shaft, 62... Placing surface, 63... Inclined surface, 64... Flat surface, 66... Opposing part, 66A... Downstream end, 67... Fixed part, 68... Rotating part, 68A... First frame, 68B... Second frame, 69... Bottom surface, 70... Loading device, 71... Space part, 72... Pressing part, 73... Connecting rod, 74... Pressing member, 75... Gripping part, 77... Motor, 82... Correction part, 82A... Downstream end, 84... Correction plate, 85... Upper plate, 86... Contact surface, 90... Loading device, 92... Correction part, 92A... Downstream end, 94... Correction plate, 95... Upper plate, 96... Contact surface, 100... Loading device, 103... Winding part, 104... First arm part, 105... Second arm part, 110... Loading device, 112... Contact surface, K1... Conveying path, K2... Conveying path, M... Horizontal reference line, N... Vertical reference line, P... Paper, PR... Roll paper, PS... Single sheet paper, Q... Ink

Claims

1. A medium loading device on which a medium discharged from a discharge unit of a processing device is loaded, provided on the device main body, a placement part on which at least one of the media discharged from the discharge part is placed; a correction part that is arranged downstream of the placement part in the moving direction of the medium on the placement part and corrects the curl of the medium by contacting the medium moving in the moving direction from the placement part; and the correction part has at least one contact surface that extends in an intersecting direction intersecting the moving direction so that the position in the device height direction decreases from upstream to downstream in the moving direction and contacts the medium, In the device height direction, the height position of the downstream end of the correction part in the moving direction is aligned with the height position of the downstream end of the placement part in the moving direction. A medium loading device characterized by this.

2. A medium loading device on which a medium discharged from a discharge unit of a processing device is loaded, provided on the device main body, a placement part on which at least one of the media discharged from the discharge part is placed; a correction part that is arranged downstream of the placement part in the moving direction of the medium on the placement part and corrects the curl of the medium by contacting the medium moving in the moving direction from the placement part; and the correction part has at least one contact surface that extends in an intersecting direction intersecting the moving direction so that the position in the device height direction decreases from upstream to downstream in the moving direction and contacts the medium, the correction part is provided so as to be displaceable between a correction position when correcting the medium and a retracted position away from the correction position with respect to the placement part, A pressing member that presses the correction part downward in the device height direction is provided. A medium loading device characterized by this.

3. In the medium loading device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, The apparatus main body includes a facing portion that faces the placement portion above the placement portion in the apparatus height direction. The correction portion is provided at a downstream end portion of the facing portion in the moving direction. A medium loading apparatus characterized by the above.

4. In the medium loading apparatus according to claim 3, The position of the downstream end portion of the facing portion in the moving direction is aligned with the position of the downstream end portion of the placement portion in the moving direction. The correction portion is provided at the downstream end of the facing portion in the moving direction. A medium loading apparatus characterized by the above.

5. In the medium loading apparatus according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 4 dependent on claim 2, In the apparatus height direction, the height position of the downstream end portion of the correction portion in the moving direction is located below the height position of the downstream end portion of the placement portion in the moving direction. A medium loading apparatus characterized by the above.

6. In the medium loading apparatus according to claim 2, A driving portion that drives the correction portion to one of the correction position and the retracted position, A control portion that controls the driving of the driving portion in accordance with the medium, and having the above. A medium loading apparatus characterized by the above.

7. In the medium loading apparatus according to claim 6, When the medium is thin paper having a thickness thinner than the set thickness and high-density recording is performed on the medium using a liquid at a density higher than the set density, the control portion positions the correction portion at the correction position. A medium loading apparatus characterized by the above.

8. In the medium loading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The correcting unit is arranged at intervals in the medium width direction that intersects both the moving direction and the device height direction, and has a plurality of the contact surfaces that contact both end portions of the medium in the medium width direction. A medium loading device characterized by this.

9. In the medium loading device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, When viewed from the medium width direction that intersects both the moving direction and the device height direction, the contact surface extends linearly. A medium loading device characterized by this.

10. A recording system including a recording device and a medium loading device, The recording device includes A storage unit for storing roll paper, A transport unit for transporting the roll paper from the storage unit, A recording unit for recording on the roll paper transported by the transport unit, A cutting unit for forming single-sheet paper as a medium by cutting the roll paper recorded by the recording unit, An ejection unit for ejecting the single-sheet paper, and includes The medium loading device is the one described in Claim 1 or Claim 2. A recording system characterized by this.

Images