Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image formation device capable of supporting a long area in a transportation direction compared to when a long sheet to be transported is placed only on a placement part on which a normal-sized recording material is placed.SOLUTION: An image formation device comprises: a relay part including an upper transportation part and a lower transportation part arranged in line in a vertical direction at a device body and transporting a recording material, an ejection part from which the paper ejected from the upper transportation part is ejected and a relay transportation part arranged below the ejection part, receiving the recording material transported from the lower transportation material and transporting the received recording material; a post-processing part having an upper surface, arranged at a lateral surface of the device body and processing the recording material received via the relay part; and a control part for controlling the recording material to be transported from the upper transportation part to the ejection part and the upper surface and to be transported to the lower transportation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body, a post-processing apparatus, and a control apparatus for controlling their operations, the post-processing apparatus is movable between a first set position for receiving a long sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body and a second set position for receiving a non-long sheet (Patent Document 1).

[0003] An image forming apparatus having a scanner for reading a document, an image forming unit for forming a target image on a sheet material, and a paper discharge unit provided between the scanner and the image forming unit, wherein the sheet material on which the target image is formed by the image forming unit is stacked via the paper discharge unit, and a sheet material conveyance unit provided between the scanner and the image forming unit and connected to the paper discharge unit and having a conveyance path for conveying the sheet material from the paper discharge unit to one side surface of the apparatus main body is also known (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that supports a long region in the conveyance direction as compared with the case where a conveyed long sheet is placed only on a placing portion on which a normal-size recording material is placed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is An upper conveyance unit and a lower conveyance unit that are arranged vertically in the apparatus main body and convey a recording material, A paper discharge tray where the paper discharged from the upper conveyance unit is discharged, and a relay conveyance unit that is arranged below the paper discharge tray, receives the recording material conveyed from the lower conveyance unit, and conveys the received recording material, and a relay unit including the relay conveyance unit, A post-processing unit that has an upper surface, is arranged on a side surface of the apparatus main body, and processes the recording material received via the relay unit, and the upper surface is On the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material The base end portion is lower than the paper discharge tray On the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material with respect to the base end portion The terminal end is Becomes higher like A first upper surface on which the conveyed recording material is placed, and then Becomes the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material The base end portion is lower than the terminal end portion of the first upper surface On the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material A post-processing unit composed of a second upper surface that gently rises from the base end portion to the terminal end portion, A control unit that controls the conveyance of the recording material from the upper conveyance unit to the paper discharge tray and the upper surface and the conveyance to the lower conveyance unit, and When the recording material is a long sheet, the recording material is conveyed from the upper conveyance unit to the paper discharge tray of the relay unit and discharged onto a stacker tray from the first upper surface and the second upper surface of the post-processing unit, Characterized by this.

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The first upper surface is the Of the recording material Conveyance direction Upper Flow side Base End Portion side From the second upper surface Of the recording material Conveyance direction In Upstream side Base End Portion side Has a side surface extending toward the Characterized by this.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to support a long region in the conveyance direction as compared with the case of placing the long paper only on the placing portion for placing a recording material of a normal size.

[0013] Claim 2 According to the invention described in, it is possible to suppress the catching of the long sheet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Next, with reference to the drawings, embodiments and specific examples will be given below to explain the present invention in more detail, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples. In addition, in the following description using the drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of each dimension, etc. are different from the actual ones, and illustrations other than the members necessary for the explanation are appropriately omitted for easy understanding. For ease of understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.

[0016] (1) Overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming main body unit 2 that forms an image on a sheet P as a recording material, a post-processing unit 3 that performs post-processing on the sheet P on which the image is formed by the image forming main body unit 2, and a relay unit 4 that is disposed on the upper surface of the image forming main body unit 2 and conveys the sheet P discharged from the image forming main body unit 2 to the post-processing unit 3. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0017] (1.1) Overall configuration and operation of the image forming main body unit 2 The image forming main body unit 2 includes an image forming unit 10, a paper feeding device 20 mounted at the bottom of the image forming unit 10, a reading device 30 mounted on the upper part of the image forming unit 10, an operation display unit 40, a control device 50, and a manual paper feeding device 70 mounted on the left side of the image forming unit 10.

[0018] The image forming unit 10 includes an exposure device 12, a photoreceptor unit 13, a developing device 14, a transfer device 15, and a fixing device 16, and forms a toner image on a sheet P as a recording material fed from the paper feeding device 20 or the manual paper feeding device 70.

[0019] Above the image forming unit 10, a reading device 30 as a reading unit is arranged. The reading device 30 uses an image sensor (not shown) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor to read the image of the sheet and convert it into image data which is an electrical signal.

[0020] On the front side of the reading device 30, an operation display unit 40 which is a user interface is arranged. The operation display unit 40 is composed of a combination of a liquid crystal display panel, various operation buttons, a touch panel, etc. The user of the image forming apparatus 1 inputs various settings and instructions via the operation display unit 40. Also, various information is displayed to the user of the image forming apparatus 1 via the liquid crystal display panel.

[0021] The control device 50 includes an image forming control unit 501 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, an image processing unit 502 that prepares image data according to a printing process request, a power supply device 53, etc. The image processing unit 502 converts the printing information input from an external information transmission device (for example, a personal computer, etc.) into image information for latent image formation and outputs a drive signal to the exposure device 12 at a preset timing. The exposure device 12 of the present embodiment is composed of an LED head in which LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged linearly. The power supply device 53 applies a predetermined bias voltage for image formation to the photoreceptor unit 13, the developing device 14, the transfer device 15, etc., and supplies power to the exposure device 12, the fixing device 16, etc.

[0022] At the bottom of the image forming unit 10, a paper feeding device 20 is provided. The paper feeding device 20 includes a paper loading plate 21, and a large number of sheets of paper P as recording materials are loaded on the upper surface of the paper loading plate 21. The paper P loaded on the paper loading plate 21 and positioned in the width direction by a regulating plate (not shown) is pulled forward (-X direction) one by one by a paper pulling-out unit 22 from above and then conveyed to the nip portion of the registration roller pair 23.

[0023] A manual paper feeder 70 is provided on the side of the image forming unit 10. The manual paper feeder 70 can be folded with respect to the opening / closing member 90, and conveys recording media such as non-standard size paper, specific thick paper, postcards, long sheets longer than the normal size, and plastic films, which are difficult to feed by the paper feeder 20, to the nip portion of the conveyance roll pair 24.

[0024] The paper P fed out from the paper feeder 20 or the manual paper feeder 70 is conveyed to the registration roller pair 23 and then conveyed to the secondary transfer nip portion with the leading ends aligned by the registration roller pair 23.

[0025] The photosensitive unit 13 is provided above the paper feeder 20, and includes photosensitive drums 31 that are provided in parallel and driven to rotate. Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are formed on the respective photosensitive drums 31 on which electrostatic latent images are formed by the exposure device 12 by the respective developing devices 14.

[0026] The respective color toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 31 of each photosensitive unit 13 are sequentially electrostatically transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 of the transfer device 15, and a superimposed toner image in which the respective color toners are superimposed is formed. The superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is sent out from the registration roller pair 23 and collectively transferred onto the paper P guided by the conveyance guide by the secondary transfer roller 52.

[0027] The fixing device 16 forms a fixing nip portion NP (fixing area) by the pressure contact area of a pair of heating modules 61 and a pressure module 62. The paper P onto which the toner image is collectively transferred in the transfer device 15 is conveyed to the fixing nip portion NP of the fixing device 16 with the toner image unfixed, and the toner image is fixed by the action of heating and pressure contact by the pair of heating modules 61 and the pressure module 62.

[0028] The sheet P on which the fixed toner image is formed is guided by the switching gates G1 and G2, and is discharged from the first discharge roller pair 63, which is an example of the lower conveyance unit, among the discharge roller pairs arranged side by side vertically, to the relay unit 4 disposed in the body S of the image forming main body 2. Further, by switching the position of the switching gate G1, it is discharged from the second discharge roller pair 64, which is an example of the upper conveyance unit, to the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4.

[0029] (1.2) Configuration and Operation of Post-processing Unit 3 and Relay Unit 4 The post-processing unit 3 receives the sheet P output from the image forming main body 2 via the relay unit 4, and includes, for example, a compile tray 310 that collects and bundles the sheets P, and a stitch mechanism (stitching unit) 320 that stitches the ends of the sheets P.

[0030] The relay unit 4 includes an inlet roller 41 that receives the sheet P output via the first discharge roller pair 63 of the image forming main body 2, first conveyance rollers 42, 42 that convey the sheet P received by the inlet roller 41 to the downstream side, and a second conveyance roller 43 that conveys the sheet P toward the post-processing unit 3.

[0031] The upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4 serves as a paper discharge tray TR on which the sheet P output via the second discharge roller pair 64 of the image forming main body 2 is placed. When the output sheet P is a long sheet LP that is longer than the normal size, the paper discharge tray TR functions as a guide guide that guides the long sheet LP discharged from the second discharge roller pair 64 toward the upper surface 3a of the post-processing unit 3.

[0032] The post-processing unit 3 is provided on the downstream side of the receiving roller 301 that receives the sheet P from the relay unit 4, and includes a compile tray 310 that collects and stores a plurality of sheets P, and discharge rollers 302 that are a pair of rollers that discharge the sheet P toward the compile tray 310.

[0033] Further, the post-processing unit 3 includes a paddle 303 that rotates so as to push the sheet P toward the end guide 310b of the compile tray 310, and a tamper 305 for aligning the ends of the sheet P. Furthermore, the post-processing unit 3 has a needle stitching mechanism 320 that stitches the ends of the stack of sheets PB stacked on the compile tray 310, and the stitched stack of sheets PB is conveyed and discharged by an eject roller (sheet stack conveying roller) 304.

[0034] On the side surface side of the post-processing unit 3, there is provided a stacker tray TR2 as an example of a stacking unit that raises and stacks the stack of sheets PB discharged by the eject roller 304 so that the user can easily pick it up.

[0035] (2) Conveyance of long sheet FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 showing the conveyance path of the long sheet LS, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of long sheet printing, FIG. 4 is a perspective view with a viewpoint on the upper surface side of the post-processing unit 3, FIG. 5(a) is a schematic plan view for explaining the relationship in the width direction between the relay unit 4 and the post-processing unit 3, (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the relationship in the height direction between the relay unit 4 and the post-processing unit 3, and FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the opening and closing of the upper surface of the post-processing unit 3. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the conveyance of the long sheet LS in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0036] (2.1) Conveyance of long sheet As shown in FIG. 12 for its conveyance path, the long sheet LS fed from the manual paper feeder 70 has its leading end aligned by the registration roller pair 23, and image formation is performed by the image forming unit 10. Then, the long sheet LS fixed by the fixing device 16 is guided to the switching gate G1 switched to the second discharge roller pair 64 side, conveyed upward, and conveyed from the second discharge roller pair 64 onto the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4. Then, it is conveyed on the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4 and conveyed to the upper surface 3a of the post-processing unit 3.

[0037] When forming an image on a long sheet LS as an example of a recording material whose length in the conveyance direction of the sheet P is longer than the A3 size (420 mm), the long sheet mode is selected via the operation display unit 40 (S101). The long sheet mode is configured to perform processes such as delayed jams different from the normal size on the premise that the sheet size is long in the conveyance path. When the long-sheet mode is selected (S101; Yes), it is determined whether a long sheet LS is set in the manual paper feed device 70 (S102). When the long sheet LS is set in the manual paper feed device 70 (S102; Yes), paper feeding is started from the manual paper feed device 70 (S103).

[0038] And when the leading end of the long sheet LS is detected in front of the registration roller pair 23 (S104; Yes), the switching gates G1 and G2 are switched to make the conveyance path to the second discharge roller pair 64 side which is the upper conveyance unit (S105). As a result, the long sheet LS after fixing is conveyed onto the paper discharge tray TR which is the upper surface of the relay unit 4. Then, image formation is performed on the long sheet LS (S106), and the long sheet LS is conveyed until the trailing end of the paper is detected by the second discharge roller pair 64 (S107; Yes). In this way, the long sheet LS fed from the manual paper feed device 70 is conveyed from the second discharge roller pair 64 to the upper surface 4a (paper discharge tray TR) of the relay unit 4.

[0039] (2.2) Conveyance path As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface 3a of the post-processing unit 3 includes a back upper surface 330 that has the height of the entire post-processing unit 3 at the back side (Y direction) of the post-processing unit 3 and covers the inside of the post-processing unit 3, a front upper surface 340 that has the same height as the back upper surface 330 at the front side (-Y direction) of the post-processing unit 3, a first upper surface 350 with a lower height than the back upper surface 330 and the front upper surface 340, and a second upper surface 360 following it. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, following the second upper surface 360, a stacker tray TR2 having an extension tray TR2b is located at the uppermost position (Z direction) on the side surface side of the post-processing unit 3.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the conveyance area W1 of the long sheet LS on the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4 is narrower than the width W0 of the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4. And among the upper surface 3a of the post-processing unit 3 arranged on the downstream side of the relay unit 4, the first upper surface 350 and the second upper surface 360 have a width W2 that can place the long sheet LS corresponding to the conveyance area W1 of the long sheet LS.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the base end portion 350a on the upstream side (-X direction) in the conveyance direction of the long sheet LS on the first upper surface 350 is lower than the upper surface 4a of the relay portion 4 (see h1 shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 5(b)). And, for the first upper surface 350, the terminal end portion 350b on the downstream side (X direction) with respect to the base end portion 350a is higher.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the base end portion 360a on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the long sheet LS on the second upper surface 360 is lower than the terminal end portion 350b of the first upper surface 350 (see h2 shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 5(b)). And, the second upper surface 360 gently rises toward the terminal end portion 360b on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the base end portion 360a.

[0043] In this way, in the conveyance region of the long sheet LS on the upper surface 3a of the post-processing portion 3, the base end portion 350a that is continuous with the upper surface 4a of the relay portion 4 is lower than the upper surface 4a of the relay portion 4, and gently rises toward the terminal end portion 360b of the second upper surface 360 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the long sheet LS. Thereby, the conveyed long sheet LS can be transferred and conveyed without getting caught on the first upper surface 350 which is a part of the upper surface 3a of the post-processing portion 3 from the upper surface 4a of the relay portion 4, and the sagging of the long sheet LS can be reduced.

[0044] Also, since the first upper surface 350 and the second upper surface 360 of the post-processing portion 3 gently rise from the base end portion 350a of the first upper surface 350 toward the terminal end portion 360b of the second upper surface 360, it is possible to reduce the long sheet LS placed on the upper surface 3a of the post-processing portion 3 from returning in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction.

[0045] Note that in the present embodiment, the conveyance region W1 of the long sheet LS on the upper surface 3a of the post-processing portion 3 does not necessarily need to be configured to be divided into the first upper surface 350 and the second upper surface 360, and may be integrally configured as long as the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the long sheet LS is higher. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, even when the extension tray TR2b of the stacker tray TR2 of the post-processing unit 3 is not extended (see arrow A in FIG. 4), in the conveyance area W1 of the long sheet LS on the upper surface 3a of the post-processing unit 3, it is sufficient that the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the long sheet LS is higher.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the base end portion 360a, which is the upstream end in the conveyance direction of the second upper surface 360 that is the conveyance area of the long sheet LS of the post-processing unit 3, is lower than the terminal end portion 350b, which is the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the first upper surface 350, and as shown in FIG. 6, it can be opened and closed toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the long sheet LS (see the arrow shown in FIG. 6). Specifically, the second upper surface 360 has an opening / closing center 360c below (-Z direction) the base end portion 360a, and the base end portion 360a can rotate without contacting the terminal end portion 350b of the first upper surface 350 during the opening / closing operation. Thereby, compared with a configuration in which a part of the upper side of the post-processing unit 3 is moved to the upper surface 4a side of the relay unit 4 in order to expose the inside of the post-processing unit 3, it is possible to suppress the catching of the conveyed long sheet LS.

[0047] (2.3) Both outer sides of the conveyance path FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view showing the upper surface 3a of the post-processing unit 3 from the back side viewpoint, (b) is a perspective view showing it from the front side viewpoint, FIG. 8 is a front view showing the entire appearance of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the opening / closing of the front side of the post-processing unit 3.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7(a), the front side upper surface 340 of the post-processing unit 3 has a portion 340a that is higher than the first upper surface 350 and the second upper surface 360 that are the conveyance areas of the long sheet LS (see the area surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7(a)). The side surface 340b of the higher portion 340a (see the area shown by the dots in FIG. 7(a)) is erected at a position spaced apart by a distance L1 from the conveyance area of the long sheet LS (shown by the broken line in FIG. 7) toward the front side. This prevents the long sheet LS from falling toward the front side of the apparatus main body, and when the long sheet LS is conveyed to the first upper surface 350 of the post-processing unit 3 via the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4, the end of the long sheet LS does not hit the raised portion 340a.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the back upper surface 330 of the post-processing unit 3 has a raised portion 330a that is higher than the first upper surface 350 and the second upper surface 360 that are the conveyance areas of the long sheet LS (see the area surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7(b)). The side surface 330b of the raised portion 330a (see the area indicated by the dots in FIG. 7(b)) is erected at a position spaced apart by a distance L2 from the conveyance area of the long sheet LS (indicated by the broken line in FIG. 7) toward the back side. This prevents the end of the long sheet LS from hitting the raised portion 330a when the long sheet LS is conveyed to the first upper surface 350 of the post-processing unit 3 via the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4.

[0050] Also, the distance L1 between the conveyance area of the long sheet LS and the side surface 340b of the raised portion 340a on the front side is larger than the distance L2 between the conveyance area of the long sheet LS and the side surface 330b of the raised portion 330a on the back side. This makes it less likely for the raised portion 340a on the front side to get in the way when taking out the long sheet placed on the first upper surface 350 and the second upper surface 360 of the post-processing unit 3 from the front side of the apparatus main body.

[0051] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the width W3 of the conveyance area of the long sheet LS and the raised portion 340a on the front side and the width W3 of the conveyance area of the long sheet LS and the raised portion 330a on the back side are narrower than the conveyance area on the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4 (see W0 and W3 in FIG. 7). This can prevent the long sheet from falling in the width direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the long sheet.

[0052] The raised portion 340a on the front upper surface 340 of the post-processing unit 3 has a substantially rectangular shape with no irregularities when viewed from the front of the apparatus main body as shown in FIG. 8 (see the region surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8). As a result, a clean appearance is obtained when viewed from the front of the apparatus main body, and the design is excellent.

[0053] The front side of the post-processing unit 3 with respect to the apparatus main body is formed by being divided into a rear side 340A facing the conveyance area of the long sheet LS and a front side 340B not facing the conveyance area as shown in FIG. 9, and the front side 340B can be opened and closed. Thereby, while restricting the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the long sheet LS, the inside of the post-processing unit can be exposed.

[0054] The front upper surface 340 of the post-processing unit 3 is configured to be higher than the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4 and lower than the lower surface 30a of the reading device 30 as shown in FIG. 8 (see h3 in FIG. 8). Thereby, the long sheet LS can be taken out from the front side of the apparatus main body.

[0055] (2.4) Conveyance direction tip side of the conveyance path FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the upper surface of the stack tray TR2. A stack tray TR2 for stacking the post-processed paper bundle PB is arranged on the right side surface of the post-processing unit 3. The stack tray TR2 includes a stack tray main body TR2a that moves up and down (in the Z direction) by a lifting device (not shown) provided in the main body of the post-processing unit 3 (see the arrow R in FIG. 1), and an extension tray TR2b connected to the stack tray main body TR2a. The extension tray TR2b is configured to be pullable with respect to the stack tray main body TR2a (see the arrow A in FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, when the recording material to be conveyed is the long sheet LS, the stack tray TR2 is positioned at the highest position to support the long sheet LS.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, the stacker tray TR2 includes recesses TR2A that are lower than the end portions 360b of the second upper surface 360 of the post-processing unit 3 on both sides in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording material, and an upper surface TR2B that is higher than the end portions 360b of the second upper surface 360 of the post-processing unit 3 in the conveyance area of the long sheet LS. Thereby, the long sheet LS being conveyed can be delivered without being caught on the upper surface of the stacker tray TR2 from the upper surface 3a of the post-processing unit 3.

[0057] FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view with a viewpoint on the back side of the image forming apparatus 1, and (b) is a view showing the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 11 (the stacker tray TR2 is not shown), an air intake port 95 for taking in air from the outside is provided on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 into the inside of the apparatus main body. The post-processing unit 3 is arranged on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to receive the paper P discharged from the image forming unit 10 and perform post-processing.

[0058] In the post-processing unit 3 according to the present embodiment, a mechanism (not shown) for post-processing is arranged on the back side of the post-processing unit 3 and is covered with a cover member 331 having an upper surface 330 on the back side. The cover member 331 is arranged so as not to block the air intake port 95, as shown in FIG. 11(b). Thereby, even when the post-processing unit 3 is arranged on the right side surface of the apparatus main body, the necessary air can be sucked into the inside of the apparatus main body.

[0059] Thus, when the recording material is the long sheet LS, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment discharges from the second discharge roller pair 64 as the upper conveyance unit arranged above the first discharge roller pair 63 and the second discharge roller pair 64 arranged vertically side by side in the apparatus main body to the upper surface of the relay unit 4. In the conveyance area of the long sheet LS, the upper surface of the post-processing unit 3 that receives the recording material from the relay unit 4 is lower than the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4, and the long sheet LS being conveyed can be delivered without being caught on the upper surface 4a of the relay unit 4 to the upper surface of the post-processing unit 3. Also, in the conveyance area of the long sheet LS, since the upper surface of the post-processing unit 3 is gently inclined so as to rise toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction, it is possible to suppress the snagging of the long sheet LS and reduce the sagging.

Explanation of Signs

[0060] 1 ··· Image forming apparatus 2 ··· Image forming main body unit 10 ··· Image forming unit 20 ··· Paper feeding device 30 ··· Reading device 40 ··· Operation display unit 50 ··· Control device 70 ··· Manual paper feeding device 3 ··· Post-processing unit 330 ··· Rear upper surface 340 ··· Front upper surface 350 ··· First upper surface 360 ··· Second upper surface 4 ··· Relay unit 4a ··· Upper surface LS ··· Long sheet TR1 ··· Discharge tray TR2 ··· Stacker tray

Claims

1. An upper conveyance unit and a lower conveyance unit that are arranged vertically in the apparatus main body and convey a recording material, A paper discharge tray where the paper discharged from the upper conveyance unit is discharged, and a relay conveyance unit that is arranged below the paper discharge tray, receives the recording material conveyed from the lower conveyance unit, and conveys the received recording material. A relay unit comprising: A post-processing unit that has an upper surface and is arranged on the side surface of the apparatus main body and processes the recording material received via the relay unit. The upper surface has a first upper surface on which the base end portion on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material is lower than the paper discharge tray and the end portion on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material with respect to the base end portion is conveyed while being higher. And a second upper surface that continues thereto and has a base end portion on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material that is lower than the end portion of the first upper surface and gradually increases toward the end portion on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material. A post-processing unit consisting of: A control unit that controls the conveyance of the recording material from the upper conveyance unit to the paper discharge tray and the upper surface and the conveyance of the recording material to the lower conveyance unit. When the recording material is a long sheet, the recording material is conveyed from the upper conveyance unit to the paper discharge tray of the relay unit and discharged onto the stacker tray from the first upper surface and the second upper surface of the post-processing unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The first upper surface has a side surface that extends from the base end portion side on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material toward the base end portion side on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material of the second upper surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

Images