Image forming device

Abstract

To prevent a roll body from being exposed to the outside when a feed tray is pulled out from a housing.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes a feed tray 1 attachable / detachable to / from a housing, in which a cover 20 for selecting switching a cover position where a roll body storage part 11 is covered from the outside and an uncover position where the roll body storage part 11 is opened to the outside is mounted on the feed tray 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a feed tray capable of accommodating a roll body. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices are known that include a feed tray that can accommodate a roll of sheet-like media such as paper, cloth, labels, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a roll paper feeder (image forming device) that includes a feed tray that accommodates roll paper (roll), and a housing that detachably holds the feed tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-263348 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the roll body is exposed to the outside when the feed tray is pulled out from the housing, etc. This can cause problems such as foreign matter adhering to the roll body.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the roll body from being exposed to the outside when, for example, the feed tray is pulled out from the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising a housing, a feed tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like medium wound in a roll, and a cover that is attached to the feed tray and can selectively take a cover position that covers the first storage section from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage section to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when the feed tray is pulled out from the housing, the cover is placed in the cover position, thereby preventing the roll from being exposed to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a state in which a roll body is removed from the paper feed tray of the printer in FIG. 1 and cut sheets are stored therein. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover attached to a paper feed tray of the printer of FIG. 1 is placed in a cover position. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover attached to a paper feed tray of the printer of FIG. 1 is placed in an uncover position. FIG. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover attached to the paper feed tray of the printer in FIG. 1 is placed in the uncover position, illustrating engagement between the concave-convex portion of the cover and the path member. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a cover attached to a paper feed tray of the printer of FIG. 1 is placed in an uncover position. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a paper feed tray and a cover of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is placed in a cover position. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a paper feed tray and a cover of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is located in an uncovered position. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the roll paper is pulled downstream in the transport direction during transport or jam clearance, causing the path member to swing in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a paper feed tray and a cover of a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a printer (image forming apparatus) 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 100a, a paper feed tray 1, a conveying mechanism 3, a cutter mechanism 4, a head 5, a paper output tray 6, and a control unit 10.

[0010] The paper discharge tray 6 is formed on the side wall at the front of the upper portion of the housing 100a, and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 100a.

[0011] The paper feed tray 1 corresponds to the "feed tray" of the present invention, has a box shape that opens upward, and is detachable from the bottom of the housing 100a. The paper feed tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a by moving it from rear to front relative to the housing 100a, and is attached to the housing 100a by moving it from front to rear relative to the housing 100a.

[0012] The paper feed tray 1 can be selectively placed in a storage position (see FIGS. 1 and 2) stored in the housing 100a, or in a drawn-out position (see FIGS. 3 to 6) drawn out from the housing 100a. When the paper feed tray 1 is in the storage position, the entire paper feed tray 1 may be stored in the housing 100a, or a portion of the paper feed tray 1 (for example, a roll body storage unit 11 or a portion of the cover 20, which will be described later) may be located outside the housing 100a. When the paper feed tray 1 is in the drawn-out position, the entire paper feed tray 1 may be separated from the housing 100a, or a portion of the paper feed tray 1 (for example, a portion of the guide 7 or a portion of the path member 30, which will be described later) may be located inside the housing 100a.

[0013] The paper feed tray 1 is provided with a roll storage section 11 capable of storing a roll R (see FIG. 1) and a cut paper storage section 12 capable of storing cut paper Pc (see FIG. 2). The roll storage section 11 corresponds to the "first storage section" of the present invention, and the cut paper storage section 12 corresponds to the "second storage section" of the present invention.

[0014] Further, the paper feed tray 1 is provided with a cover 20 and a path member 30.

[0015] The cover 20 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 20a extending in the left-right direction, and can selectively take a cover position (see FIGS. 1 to 3) in which it covers the roll housing section 11 from the outside, and an uncover position (see FIGS. 4 to 6) in which it opens the roll housing section 11 to the outside. When in the uncover position, the cover 20 overlaps the cut sheet housing section 12 in the vertical direction. The rotation shaft 20a is supported by the left and right side walls of the paper feed tray 1, and the cover 20 is supported by the paper feed tray 1 in both the cover position and the uncover position.

[0016] The path member 30 is a flat member arranged along the bottom wall of the paper feed tray 1, with its upper surface forming the cut paper storage section 12 and its lower surface defining a transport path Cr for the roll paper Pr unwound from the roll R. The transport path Cr is formed between the lower surface of the path member 30 and the upper surface of the bottom wall of the paper feed tray 1. One end of the path member 30 on the roll storage section 11 side engages with the uneven portion 20b at the lower end of the cover 20.

[0017] The roll R (see FIG. 1) is a roll of roll paper Pr (sheet-like medium) wound around the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical core member Rc, and corresponds to the "roll" of the present invention. The roll R is accommodated in the roll accommodating section 11 with its rotation axis Rx (the central axis of the core member Rc) aligned in the left-right direction.

[0018] Two roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 that make up the transport mechanism 3 are provided at the bottom of the roll storage section 11. The two roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 are rotatable around shafts 14a, 15a that extend in the left-right direction, respectively. When the roll R is stored in the roll storage section 11, the outer peripheral surface of its lower portion is supported by the two roll paper feed rollers 14, 15.

[0019] The cut sheets Pc (see FIG. 2) are sheets of paper whose length in the transport direction A is shorter than that of the rolled sheets Pr constituting the roll body R. The cut sheet storage unit 12 can store a plurality of cut sheets Pc stacked vertically.

[0020] In the printer 100, when using roll paper Pr, the cut paper Pc is removed from the cut paper storage section 12 (see Figure 1), and when using cut paper Pc, the roll R is removed from the roll storage section 11 (see Figure 2).

[0021] The transport mechanism 3 is configured to transport roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc in transport direction A along transport path C, and includes roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15, cut paper feed roller 3a, a pair of intermediate rollers 3b, a pair of transport rollers 3c, a pair of paper discharge rollers 3d, a path member 30, and guides 7 and 9. Transport path C includes a transport path Cr for roll paper Pr and a transport path Cc for cut paper Pc formed within paper feed tray 1, and a transport path Ca formed in a portion of housing 100a outside paper feed tray 1.

[0022] As described above, roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 are provided at the bottom of roll storage unit 11. Cut paper feed roller 3a is located above cut paper storage unit 12, and is arranged on transport path C between roll storage unit 11 and head 5. Intermediate roller pair 3b is arranged on transport path C between cut paper feed roller 3a and head 5. Transport roller pair 3c is arranged on transport path C between intermediate roller pair 3b and head 5. Paper discharge roller pair 3d is arranged on transport path C between head 5 and paper discharge tray 6.

[0023] The cut-sheet feed roller 3a is pivotally supported at the tip of an arm 3y. The arm 3y is rotatably supported on a support shaft 3x. An arm drive motor (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 10, causing the arm 3y to rotate about the support shaft 3x, thereby allowing the cut-sheet feed roller 3a to selectively take up either the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 or the feed position shown in FIG. 2. When the cut-sheet feed roller 3a is in the feed position shown in FIG. 2, it is biased so as to approach the upper surface of the path member 30.

[0024] 1, when the roll R is stored in the roll storage unit 11 and the cut paper feed roller 3a is in the retracted position, the control unit 10 drives the paper feed motor (not shown) to rotate the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15, causing the roll R to rotate in the direction of arrow B, and roll paper Pr unwound from the roll R is fed along the transport path Cr. The transport path Cr runs from the front to the rear of the roll R, passing below the roll R (below the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15), below the pivot shaft 20a of the cover 20 and below the path member 30, and then upward along the guide 7. On the transport path Cr, the path member 30 guides the roll paper Pr to the guide 7 while preventing curling.

[0025] 2, when cut sheets Pc are stored in cut sheet storage unit 12 and cut sheet feed roller 3a is in the feed position, control unit 10 drives a paper feed motor (not shown) to rotate cut sheet feed roller 3a, and the uppermost cut sheet Pc of the multiple cut sheets Pc stored in cut sheet storage unit 12 is fed along conveying path Cc. Conveying path Cc runs from front to rear along the top surface of path member 30 and then upward along guide 7.

[0026] The intermediate roller pair 3b, the conveying roller pair 3c, and the paper discharge roller pair 3d each comprise a drive roller that rotates when driven by a conveying motor (not shown), and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. The conveying motor (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 10, and the intermediate roller pair 3b, the conveying roller pair 3c, and the paper discharge roller pair 3d rotate while sandwiching the roll paper Pr or the cut paper Pc, thereby conveying the roll paper Pr or the cut paper Pc along the conveying path C.

[0027] The guide 7 is disposed between the cut paper feed roller 3a and the pair of intermediate rollers 3b on the transport path C, and guides the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc fed by the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 or the cut paper feed roller 3a to the pair of intermediate rollers 3b. The guide 7 is formed from the rear side wall of the paper feed tray 1, and is inclined so that it is positioned upward from front to rear.

[0028] The guide 9 is disposed between the intermediate roller pair 3b and the conveying roller pair 3c on the conveying path C, and guides the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc conveyed by the intermediate roller pair 3b to the conveying roller pair 3c. The guide 9 is composed of a pair of path members 9a, 9b disposed on either side of the conveying path C.

[0029] The cutter mechanism 4 is configured to cut the roll paper Pr between the guide 7 and the pair of intermediate rollers 3b on the transport path C, and includes a pair of rotary blades arranged to sandwich the transport path C. When a cutting motor (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 10 and the pair of rotary blades rotate, the roll paper Pr is cut in the left-right direction (the width direction of the roll paper Pr).

[0030] The head 5 is disposed between the pair of transport rollers 3c and the pair of discharge rollers 3d on the transport path C. The head 5 includes multiple nozzles (not shown) formed on its underside and a driver IC (not shown). When the driver IC is driven under the control of the control unit 10, ink is ejected from the nozzles, and an image is formed on the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc when the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc transported by the transport mechanism 3 passes a position facing the underside of the head 5. The head 5 may be either a line type that ejects ink from nozzles while remaining in a fixed position, or a serial type that ejects ink from nozzles while moving left and right (in the width direction of the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc).

[0031] The paper P on which the image has been formed by the head 5 is received in the paper discharge tray 6 which is in an open state relative to the housing 100a.

[0032] The control unit 10 is connected to the paper feed motor, transport motor, cutting motor, and driver IC via an internal bus (not shown). The control unit 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores programs and data for the CPU to perform various controls. The RAM temporarily stores data used by the CPU when executing programs.

[0033] Next, the opening and closing operation of the cover 20 will be described in detail.

[0034] When the cover 20 is in the cover position (see FIGS. 1 to 3), the roll R cannot be stored in the roll accommodating section 11 from the outside, and the roll R cannot be removed from the roll accommodating section 11 to the outside. When the cover 20 is in the uncover position (see FIGS. 4 to 6), the roll R can be stored in the roll accommodating section 11 from the outside, and the roll R can be removed from the roll accommodating section 11 to the outside.

[0035] When the paper feed tray 1 is in the storage position, the cover 20 is in the cover position. For example, when a user replaces the roll R, the user moves the paper feed tray 1 from the storage position to the extended position, and then, while the paper feed tray 1 is in the extended position, moves the cover 20 from the cover position to the uncover position. Then, with the cover 20 in the uncover position, the user replaces the roll R (i.e., removes the old roll R from the roll storage section 11 and stores a new roll R in the roll storage section 11), unwinds the roll paper Pr from the roll R, and sets it along the conveyance path Cr. After that, the user moves the cover 20 from the uncover position to the cover position, and then moves the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the storage position. Alternatively, with the cover 20 in the uncover position, the user rotates the cover 20 about the pivot shaft 20a to move it from the uncover position to the cover position in conjunction with the operation of moving the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the storage position.

[0036] When the cover 20 is in the uncovered position, the uneven portion 20b of the cover 20 and the uneven portion 30b of the path member 30 mesh together, thereby closing a path Cr' (a path in which the roll paper Pr does not pass below the roll body R (below the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15), but passes above the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 and extends laterally from the circumferential surface of the roll body R) which is separate from the transport path Cr (see Figures 5 and 6). Paper Pr is prevented from being set erroneously along path Cr'.

[0037] Furthermore, height H2 of cover 20 when in the uncovered position (see FIG. 6) is higher than height H1 of cover 20 when in the covered position (see FIG. 1). Here, the height of cover 20 refers to the height of the top end of cover 20, and in FIGS. 1 and 6, heights H1 and H2 are the vertical distances from the top surface of the bottom wall of paper feed tray 1 to the top end of cover 20 (the part of cover 20 that is furthest above the top surface). Height H2 being higher than height H1 prevents roll paper Pr from being mistakenly set along a path Cr" other than transport path Cr as shown in FIG. 6 (a path in which roll paper Pr unwound from roll body R passes over cover 20).

[0038] The paths Cr′ and Cr″ are paths that are formed on the paper feed tray 1 when the cover 20 is not attached to the paper feed tray 1.

[0039] As described above, according to this embodiment, the cover 20, which can selectively take a cover position (see FIGS. 1 to 3) that covers the roll accommodating section 11 from the outside and an uncover position (see FIGS. 4 to 6) that opens the roll accommodating section 11 to the outside, is attached to the paper feed tray 1. As a result, even when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a, by placing the cover 20 in the cover position, it is possible to prevent the roll R from being exposed to the outside (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0040] The cover 20 is supported by the paper feed tray 1 in both the covered position and the uncovered position (see FIGS. 1 to 6). In this case, the operation of moving the cover is easier than in a configuration in which the cover 20 is attached to and detached from the paper feed tray 1 when moving the cover 20 between the covered position and the uncovered position.

[0041] The cover 20 is attached to the paper feed tray 1 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 20a (see FIGS. 1 and 6). In this case, the movement mechanism of the cover 20 can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the cover 20 is attached to the paper feed tray 1 so as to be slidable.

[0042] The direction in which the pivot shaft 20a extends (left-right direction) is perpendicular to the direction in which the paper feed tray 1 is attached to and detached from the housing 100a (front-rear direction) (see FIGS. 1 and 6). In this case, when the cover 20 is in the uncover position, the cover 20 can be rotated about the pivot shaft 20a and moved from the uncover position to the covered position by moving the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the retracted position. In other words, the movement of the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the retracted position can achieve the movement of the cover 20 from the uncover position to the covered position. This makes the cover movement easy. Furthermore, when the cover 20 is moved from the uncover position to the covered position and then the paper feed tray 1 is moved from the extended position to the retracted position, the cover 20 may not be properly positioned at the covered position. However, with this configuration, the movement of the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the retracted position can properly position the cover 20 at the covered position.

[0043] The height H2 of the cover 20 when in the uncovered position (see FIG. 6) is higher than the height H1 of the cover 20 when in the covered position (see FIG. 1). In this case, roll paper Pr is prevented from being set by mistake along a path Cr" that is different from the transport path Cr as shown in FIG. 6. If roll paper Pr is set along path Cr", recording may be performed on the side opposite the recording surface, or the roll paper Pr may become pinched by the cover 20 when the cover 20 is moved to the covered position. This configuration can prevent these problems.

[0044] When the cover 20 is in the uncovered position, it closes the path Cr' shown in Figure 6. In this case, it is possible to prevent the roll paper Pr from being set along a path Cr' that is different from the transport path Cr by mistake.

[0045] The transport path Cr passes below the roll R stored in the roll storage unit 11 (see FIG. 6). If the roll paper is transported along paths Cr' and Cr" extending laterally from the circumferential surface of the roll R, rather than along a path passing below the roll R, PrIf the cover 20 is set in the roll body Pr, problems can occur such as the roll body R easily falling out of the roll body accommodating section 11 due to the tensile force acting on the roll paper Pr during transport, recording being performed on the side opposite the recording side, or the roll paper Pr being pinched by the cover 20 when the cover 20 is in the cover position. With this configuration, these problems can be prevented.

[0046] The transport path Cr passes below the pivot shaft 20a of the cover 20 (see FIG. 6). In this case, when the roll paper Pr is set along the transport path Cr, the pivot shaft 20a is prevented from interfering with the setting. Furthermore, in order to prevent the pivot shaft 20a from interfering with the setting when the transport path Cr passes above the pivot shaft 20a of the cover, it is possible to increase the length of the cover 20 in the left-right direction and provide the pivot shaft 20a at both left-right ends of the cover 20 (outside the range through which the roll paper Pr passes); however, in this case, the length of the cover 20 in the left-right direction would increase. This configuration can mitigate this problem.

[0047] The cover 20 has a concave-convex portion 20b, and when the cover 20 is in the uncovered position, the concave-convex portion 20b engages with the path member 30 to form another path C. r 5 and 6. In this case, the cover 20 closes the other path C r This can prevent interference with the pathway member 30 when closing the door '.

[0048] The paper feed tray 1 includes not only a roll storage section 11 that can store a roll R (see FIG. 1), but also a cut paper storage section 12 that can store cut paper Pc (see FIG. 2). In this case, the roll paper Pr and the cut paper Pc can be selectively used.

[0049] When in the uncovered position, the cover 20 overlaps the cut sheet storage compartment 12 in the vertical direction (see FIG. 6). In this case, if cut sheets Pc are stored in the cut sheet storage compartment 12 when storing the roll R in the roll storage compartment 11, it is difficult to place the cover 20 in the uncovered position, so the user can be prompted to remove the cut sheets Pc. Furthermore, by vertically overlapping the rotation path of the cover 20 with the cut sheet storage compartment 12, space can be used effectively, and the overall size of the printer 100 can be reduced.

[0050] The surface (upper surface) of the path member 30 opposite to the surface (lower surface) that defines the conveying path Cr constitutes the cut sheet storage unit 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In this case, there is no need to provide a dedicated member as the cut sheet storage unit 12.

[0051] Second Embodiment Next, a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the path member, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment.

[0053] The path member 230 of this embodiment can swing around a swing shaft 230a extending in the left-right direction. The swing shaft 230a is supported by the left and right side walls of the paper feed tray 1 and can move up and down within holes 1x formed in the side walls.

[0054] When the cover 20 moves from the covered position (see FIG. 7) to the uncovered position (see FIG. 8), the one end 230b of the path member 230 on the side of the roll body accommodating section 11 comes into contact with the boss 20c provided at the lower end of the cover 20 and rises as the boss 20c rises. Furthermore, when the cover 20 moves from the uncovered position (see FIG. 8) to the covered position (see FIG. 7), the one end 230b descends as the boss 20c descends. That is, the one end 230b can rise and fall in accordance with the rotation of the cover 20. As the one end 230b rises and falls, the swing shaft 230a moves up and down, and the path member 230 swings around the swing shaft 230a.

[0055] When the cover 20 moves from the cover position (see Figure 7) to the uncover position (see Figure 8), one end 230b rises, thereby increasing the vertical length of the conveying path Cr formed by the one end 230b (i.e., the vertical length of the insertion opening into the lower part of the path member 230 in the conveying path Cr for the roll paper Pr unwound from the roll body R).

[0056] As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0057] When the cover 20 is in the uncover position (see FIG. 8), the vertical length L2 of the conveying path Cr formed by the one end 230b is longer than the length L1 when the cover 20 is in the covering position (see FIG. 7) (L2>L1). This makes it easier to set the roll paper Pr along the conveying path C.

[0058] 9, when the roll paper Pr is pulled downstream in the conveying direction A during conveyance or jam clearance, the other end 230c of the path member 30 on the guide 7 side is lifted by the roll paper Pr, causing the path member 230 to swing around the swing shaft 230a. This prevents excessive load from being applied to the roll paper Pr (and thus damage to the roll paper Pr).

[0059] <Third embodiment> Next, a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the cover movement mechanism, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the cover 20 can selectively take a covered position (see FIG. 1) or an uncovered position (see FIG. 6) by rotating around the rotation shaft 20a, but in this embodiment, the cover 20 can selectively take a covered position (see the solid line in FIG. 10) or an uncovered position (see the dashed dotted line in FIG. 10) by translating along the rotation trajectory of the link mechanism 320. Translational movement is movement in which the posture of the cover 20 does not change during the movement.

[0062] The link mechanism 320 is supported by the paper feed tray 1, and the cover 20 is supported by the paper feed tray 1 in both the covered and uncovered positions. The height H2 of the cover 20 when in the uncovered position is higher than the height H1 of the cover 20 when in the covered position. When in the uncovered position, the cover 20 overlaps the cut paper storage section 12 in the vertical direction.

[0063] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained with the same configuration as the first embodiment.

[0064] A cover 20 that can selectively take a cover position (see solid line in FIG. 10) that covers the roll accommodating section 11 from the outside and an uncover position (see dashed line in FIG. 10) that opens the roll accommodating section 11 to the outside is attached to the paper feed tray 1. As a result, even when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a, by placing the cover 20 in the cover position, it is possible to prevent the roll R from being exposed to the outside.

[0065] The cover 20 is supported by the paper feed tray 1 in both the covered position and the uncovered position (see FIG. 10). In this case, the operation of moving the cover is easier than in a configuration in which the cover 20 is attached to and detached from the paper feed tray 1 when moving the cover 20 between the covered position and the uncovered position.

[0066] The height H2 of the cover 20 when in the uncovered position is higher than the height H1 of the cover 20 when in the covered position (see FIG. 10). In this case, roll paper Pr is prevented from being set by mistake along a path Cr" that is different from the transport path Cr as shown in FIG. 6. If roll paper Pr is set along path Cr", recording may be performed on the side opposite the recording surface, or the roll paper Pr may become pinched by the cover 20 when the cover 20 is moved to the covered position. This configuration can prevent these problems.

[0067] The transport path Cr passes below the roll R stored in the roll storage unit 11 (see FIG. 10). If the roll paper is transported along paths Cr' and Cr" (see FIG. 6) that extend laterally from the circumferential surface of the roll R, rather than along a path that passes below the roll R, Pr If the cover 20 is set in the roll body Pr, problems can occur such as the roll body R easily falling out of the roll body accommodating section 11 due to the tensile force acting on the roll paper Pr during transport, recording being performed on the side opposite the recording side, or the roll paper Pr being pinched by the cover 20 when the cover 20 is in the cover position. With this configuration, these problems can be prevented.

[0068] The paper feed tray 1 includes not only a roll storage section 11 that can store the roll R, but also a cut paper storage section 12 that can store cut paper Pc (see FIG. 2). In this case, the roll paper Pr and the cut paper Pc can be selectively used.

[0069] When in the uncovered position, the cover 20 overlaps the cut sheet storage compartment 12 in the vertical direction (see FIG. 10). In this case, if cut sheets Pc are stored in the cut sheet storage compartment 12 when storing the roll R in the roll storage compartment 11, it is difficult to place the cover 20 in the uncovered position, so the user can be prompted to remove the cut sheets Pc. Furthermore, by vertically overlapping the rotation path of the cover 20 with the cut sheet storage compartment 12, space can be used effectively, and the overall size of the printer 100 can be reduced.

[0070] The surface (upper surface) of the path member 30 opposite to the surface (lower surface) that defines the conveying path Cr constitutes the cut sheet storage unit 12 (see FIGS. 10 and 2). In this case, there is no need to provide a dedicated member for the cut sheet storage unit 12.

[0071] <Modification> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0072] The roll accommodating section does not necessarily have to be sealed when the cover is in the cover position. For example, a slit may be formed in the cover. Also, for example, an opening may be formed in a portion that defines the roll accommodating section 11 in the front side wall or the left and right side walls of the paper feed tray 1 shown in FIG. 1. In this case, when the cover is in the cover position, it may be possible to load a roll into the roll accommodating section or remove a roll from the roll accommodating section through the opening.

[0073] The transport path of the sheet medium unwound from the roll may pass above the rotation axis of the cover.

[0074] The direction in which the rotation shaft of the cover extends may be the same as the direction in which the paper feed tray is attached to and detached from the housing.

[0075] The cover may be attached to the feed tray so as to be slidable (for example, in the front-to-back, left-to-right, or up-to-down direction).

[0076] The height of the cover when in the uncovered position may be the same as or lower than the height of the cover when in the covered position.

[0077] The cover may be configured to be attached to and detached from the feed tray when the cover is moved between the cover position and the uncover position (a configuration in which the cover is not supported by the feed tray at the uncover position).

[0078] The feed tray may have the first storage portion but not the second storage portion.

[0079] The sheet medium is not limited to paper, but may be, for example, cloth, a resin material, or the like.

[0080] Image formation on a sheet medium may be performed by ejecting a liquid other than ink (for example, a treatment liquid that aggregates or precipitates components in the ink). Furthermore, image formation is not limited to a liquid ejection method, and may be performed by a laser method, a thermal transfer method, or the like.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to facsimiles, copiers, multifunction machines, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 Paper feed tray (feed tray) 11 Roll body storage section (first storage section) 12 Cut paper storage section (second storage section) 20 Cover 20a Rotating shaft 20b Uneven part 30;230 Route members 100 Printer (image forming device) 100a housing Cr Roll paper transport path (transport path) Cr',Cr” Alternative route PC cut paper (sheet media) Pr Roll paper (sheet media) R roll body

Claims

1. The housing and a feeding tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media; a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside, the cover is attached to the feed tray so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is located downstream of the first storage unit in a direction in which the sheet medium is unwound from the roll body.

2. The housing and a feeding tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media; a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside, the cover is attached to the feed tray so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is located below a position where an outer peripheral surface of a lower portion of the roll body accommodated in the first accommodating section is supported.

3. The housing and a feed tray that is detachable from the housing and that can selectively take a storage position stored in the housing and a pulled-out position pulled out to the outside of the housing by moving in a direction of attachment / detachment relative to the housing, the feed tray having a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media; a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside, the cover is attached to the feed tray so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; the rotation axis extends in a direction perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction, an image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the cover is in the uncover position and the feed tray moves from the pulled-out position to the stored position, the cover rotates about the pivot shaft and moves from the uncover position to the covered position;

4. The housing and a feeding tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media; a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside, a feed roller for supporting the roll body is provided at a bottom of the first storage section, a conveying path is formed in the feed tray, through which the sheet medium unwound from the roll passes below the feed roller and is conveyed; An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the cover is in the uncover position, it closes a path other than the transport path that is formed on the feed tray when the cover is not attached to the feed tray, and that passes above the feed roller.

5. The housing and a feeding tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media; a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside, the feed tray further includes a second storage section capable of storing a plurality of stacked sheet media; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover overlaps the second storage section in the vertical direction when the cover is in the uncover position.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover is supported by the feed tray in both the covered position and the uncovered position.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cover is attached to the feed tray so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the rotation shaft extends is perpendicular to the direction in which the feed tray is attached to and detached from the housing.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the height of the cover when in the uncovered position is higher than the height of the cover when in the covered position.

10. a feed roller for supporting the roll body is provided at a bottom of the first storage section, a conveying path is formed in the feed tray, through which the sheet medium unwound from the roll passes below the feed roller and is conveyed; The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 9, characterized in that, when the cover is in the uncover position, it closes another path that is formed on the feed tray when the cover is not attached to the feed tray, which is different from the transport path and passes above the feed roller.

11. Further provided is a path member that defines the transport path, 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover has a concave-convex portion, and when the cover is in the uncover position, the concave-convex portion engages with the path member to close the other path.

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the feeding tray further includes a second storage section capable of storing a plurality of stacked sheet media.

13. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the cover overlaps the second storage section in the vertical direction when the cover is in the uncovered position.

14. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a surface of the path member opposite to a surface defining the transport path constitutes the second storage section.

15. At least one end of the pathway member on the first housing portion side can be raised and lowered in response to rotation of the cover, An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the vertical length of the conveying path formed by the one end of the path member is longer when the cover is in the uncover position than when the cover is in the cover position.

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