Paper ejector

Abstract

To provide a paper ejection device that can reduce work for removing pieces of paper remaining in a printing system at the time when jamming occurs.SOLUTION: An upstream-side loading part 82, a downstream-side lower loading part 84 and a downstream-side upper loading part 86 store pieces of paper P. An ejected paper conveying part 81 conveys the pieces of paper P and selectively ejects the pieces of paper into the upstream-side loading part 82, the downstream-side lower loading part 84 and the downstream-side upper loading part 86. An upstream-side ejected paper jamming detecting part 83 and a downstream-side ejected paper jamming detecting part 85 respectively detect presence or absence of jamming of the pieces of paper P and states of jamming in the upstream-side loading part 82 and the downstream-side lower loading part 84. A control part, when the upstream-side ejected paper jamming detecting part 83 or the downstream-side ejected paper jamming detecting part 85 detects jamming in which the pieces of paper can be still ejected, controls the ejected paper conveying part 81 so that the part continues to eject pieces of paper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper delivery device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A printing system in which a plurality of printing devices are connected in series is known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] These printing systems are required to realize a variety of functions along with faster printing speeds, and to meet these needs, they are made connectable to multiple optional devices such as image inspection devices and paper delivery devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-130755 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a printing system that includes the optional devices described above, the system becomes larger and the paper transport path becomes longer. Therefore, when a paper jam occurs and the paper transport operation stops, a large amount of paper remains in the transport path, making it difficult to remove the paper.

[0006] In particular, if a jam occurs in the paper discharge device located at the most downstream in the paper transport direction, paper remains in all devices upstream of that device, resulting in a large amount of paper remaining and making it more difficult to remove the paper.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a paper discharge device that can reduce the work required to remove paper remaining in a printing system when a jam occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the paper discharge device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a storage section for storing paper, a transport section for transporting paper and discharging it to the storage section, a detection section for detecting whether or not there is a paper jam in the storage section and the state of the jam, and a control section for controlling the transport section to continue paper discharge when the detection section detects a jam that is in a state where paper can be discharged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the paper discharge device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the work of removing paper remaining in the printing system when a jam occurs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the printing system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a paper discharge device of the printing system shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system when a paper discharge jam occurs in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system when a paper discharge jam occurs in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a paper discharge device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a printing system in a third embodiment when a discharge jam occurs due to a buildup of paper that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is an upstream stacker. [Figure 8] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 9]11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0012] The following embodiments are examples of devices that embody the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of each component to those described below. The technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0013] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system provided with a paper discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a control block diagram of the printing system shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the paper discharge device of the printing system shown in Fig. 1. In the following description, the top, bottom, left, and right directions on the paper surface in Fig. 1 are defined as the top, bottom, left, and right directions.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a paper feeder 2, an upstream printing device 3, an inverting device 4, a downstream printing device 5, an image inspection device 6, and a paper discharge device 7.

[0015] The paper feeder 2 feeds paper P to the upstream printing device 3. The paper feeder 2 includes an upper paper feed section 11, a lower paper feed section 12, a paper feed conveyance section 13, and a control section .

[0016] The upper paper feed unit 11 sends out the paper P to an upper paper feed path 21, which will be described later. The upper paper feed unit 11 includes an upper paper feed tray 16 and an upper paper feed roller 17.

[0017] The upper paper feed tray 16 is configured to be able to move up and down and to hold sheets of paper P used for printing.

[0018] The upper paper feed roller 17 takes out the paper P from the upper paper feed tray 16 and sends it to the upper paper feed path 21 .

[0019] The lower paper feed section 12 sends out the paper P to a lower paper feed path 22, which will be described later. The lower paper feed section 12 includes a lower paper feed tray 18 and a lower paper feed roller 19.

[0020] The lower paper feed tray 18 is configured to be able to move up and down and is disposed below the upper paper feed tray 16. The lower paper feed tray 18 is configured to be able to move up and down and is disposed below the upper paper feed tray 16. The lower paper feed tray 18 is configured to be able to move up and down and is disposed below the upper paper feed tray 16.

[0021] The lower paper feed roller 19 takes out the paper P from the lower paper feed tray 18 and sends it to the lower paper feed path 22.

[0022] The paper feed conveying unit 13 conveys the paper P taken out from the upper paper feed tray 16 and the paper P taken out from the lower paper feed tray 18 to the upstream printing device 3. The paper feed conveying unit 13 includes an upper paper feed path 21, a lower paper feed path 22, a common paper feed path 23, and a plurality of conveying rollers 24.

[0023] The upper paper feed path 21 is a transport path for transporting the paper P from the upper paper feed tray 16 to the common paper feed path 23.

[0024] The lower paper feed path 22 is a transport path for transporting the paper P from the lower paper feed tray 18 to the common paper feed path 23.

[0025] The common paper feed path 23 is a transport path for transporting the paper P transported along the upper paper feed path 21 and the paper P transported along the lower paper feed path 22 to the upstream printing device 3. The common paper feed path 23 is connected to the downstream end of the upper paper feed path 21 and the downstream end of the lower paper feed path 22 in the transport direction of the paper P.

[0026] A plurality of transport rollers 24 are arranged along the upper paper feed path 21, the lower paper feed path 22, and the common paper feed path 23, and transport the paper P toward the upstream printing device 3.

[0027] The control unit 14 controls the operation of each part of the paper feeder 2. The control unit 14 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 14 is capable of communicating with a control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, a control unit 44 of the inverting device 4, a control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5, a control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6, and a control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7, which will be described later.

[0028] The upstream printing device 3 prints on one side of the paper P while transporting the paper P fed by the paper feed device 2. The upstream printing device 3 includes a print transport unit 31, a printing unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0029] The print transport unit 31 receives and transports the paper P from the paper feed device 2. The print transport unit 31 includes a print transport path , a plurality of transport rollers 37, and a belt platen unit .

[0030] The print transport path 36 is a transport path for transporting the paper P below the printing unit 32. The upstream end of the print transport path 36 is connected to the downstream end of the common paper feed path 23.

[0031] Some of the multiple transport rollers 37 are arranged along the print transport path 36 on the upstream side of the belt platen unit 38, and transport the paper P toward the belt platen unit 38. The remaining transport rollers 37 are arranged along the print transport path 36 on the downstream side of the belt platen unit 38, and transport the paper P toward the reversing device 4.

[0032] The belt platen unit 38 attracts and holds the paper P on the belt to transport it. The belt platen unit 38 is disposed below the printing unit 32 and faces the printing unit 32.

[0033] The printing unit 32 has an inkjet head (not shown) and performs printing by ejecting ink from the inkjet head onto the paper P transported by the belt platen unit .

[0034] The control unit 33 controls the operation of each unit of the upstream printing device 3. The control unit 33 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 33 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 44 of the inverting device 4 (described later), the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5, the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6, and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7.

[0035] The reversing device 4 turns over the paper P transported from the upstream printing device 3 and transports it to the downstream printing device 5. The reversing device 4 includes a reversing upstream transport section 41, a switchback transport section 42, a reversing downstream transport section 43, and a control section 44.

[0036] The reverse upstream transport section 41 transports the paper P to the switchback transport section 42. The reverse upstream transport section 41 includes a reverse upstream path 46 and a plurality of transport rollers 47.

[0037] The reverse upstream path 46 is a transport path for transporting the paper P from the upstream printing device 3 to the switchback transport section 42. The upstream end of the reverse upstream path 46 is connected to the downstream end of the print transport path 36 of the upstream printing device 3, and the downstream end of the reverse upstream path 46 is connected to one end (upper end) of a switchback path 51, which will be described later.

[0038] A plurality of conveying rollers 47 are arranged along the reverse upstream path 46 and convey the paper P toward the switchback conveying section 42.

[0039] The switchback conveyance section 42 switches back the sheet P conveyed from the reversing upstream conveyance section 41 and conveys it to the reversing downstream conveyance section 43. The switchback conveyance section 42 includes a switchback path 51 and switchback rollers 52.

[0040] The switchback path 51 is a transport path for switching back the paper sheet P. One end (upper end) of the switchback path 51 is connected to the downstream end of the reversing upstream path 46 and the upstream end of a reversing downstream path 56 described later.

[0041] The switchback roller 52 is a roller that switches back the paper sheet P. The switchback roller 52 is configured to be able to rotate forward and backward in order to switch back the paper sheet P.

[0042] The reverse downstream transport section 43 transports the paper P switched back by the switchback transport section 42 to the downstream printing device 5. The reverse downstream transport section 43 includes a reverse downstream path 56 and a plurality of transport rollers 57.

[0043] The reverse downstream path 56 is a transport path for transporting the paper P from the switchback transport section 42 to the downstream printing device 5. The upstream end of the reverse downstream path 56 is connected to one end (upper end) of the switchback path 51.

[0044] A plurality of transport rollers 57 are arranged along the downstream reverse path 56 and transport the paper P toward the downstream printing device 5.

[0045] The control unit 44 controls the operation of each unit of the reversing device 4. The control unit 44 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 44 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5 (described later), the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6, and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7.

[0046] The downstream printing device 5 prints on the other side of the paper P while transporting the paper P that has been turned over by the reversing device 4. The downstream printing device 5 includes a print transport unit 61, a printing unit 62, and a control unit 63.

[0047] The print transport unit 61 receives and transports the paper P from the reversing device 4. The print transport unit 61 includes a print transport path 66, a plurality of transport rollers 67, and a belt platen unit 68.

[0048] The print transport path 66 is a transport path for transporting the paper P below the printing unit 62. The upstream end of the print transport path 66 is connected to the downstream end of the reverse downstream path 56.

[0049] Some of the multiple transport rollers 67 are arranged along the print transport path 66 on the upstream side of the belt platen unit 68, and transport the paper P toward the belt platen unit 68. The remaining transport rollers 67 are arranged along the print transport path 66 on the downstream side of the belt platen unit 68, and transport the paper P toward the image inspection device 6.

[0050] The belt platen unit 68 attracts and holds the paper P on the belt to transport it. The belt platen unit 68 is disposed below the printing unit 62 and faces the printing unit 62.

[0051] The printing unit 62 has an inkjet head (not shown) and performs printing by ejecting ink from the inkjet head onto the paper P transported by the belt platen unit 68.

[0052] The control unit 63 controls the operation of each unit of the downstream printing device 5. The control unit 63 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 63 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 44 of the reversing device 4, the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6 (described later), and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7.

[0053] The image inspection device 6 inspects the images printed on both sides of the paper P by the upstream printing device 3 and the downstream printing device 5. The image inspection device 6 includes an inspection transport unit 71, inspection units 72 and 73, and a control unit 74.

[0054] The inspection transport unit 71 receives and transports the paper P from the downstream printing device 5. The inspection transport unit 71 includes an inspection transport path 76 and belt platen units 77 and 78.

[0055] The inspection transport path 76 is a transport path for transporting the paper P so as to pass through the reading areas of the inspection units 72 and 73. The upstream end of the inspection transport path 76 is connected to the downstream end of the print transport path 66.

[0056] The belt platen unit 77 adsorbs and holds on the belt the paper P that has been transported by the downstream printing device 5, and transports the paper P. The belt platen unit 77 is installed with the transport surface that adsorbs and holds the paper P facing upward.

[0057] The belt platen unit 78 receives and transports the paper P from the belt platen unit 77. The belt platen unit 78 is installed with its transport surface facing downward, and transports the paper P by suction and holding it on the downward transport surface.

[0058] Inspection unit 72 reads, for inspection, an image of the upward facing surface of paper P transported by belt platen unit 77. Inspection unit 73 reads, for inspection, an image of the downward facing surface of paper P transported by belt platen unit 78.

[0059] The control unit 74 controls the operation of each unit of the image inspection device 6. The control unit 74 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 74 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 44 of the inverting device 4, the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5, and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7, which will be described later.

[0060] The paper discharge device 7 discharges paper P printed by the upstream printing device 3 and the downstream printing device 5. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the paper discharge device 7 includes a paper discharge transport section (corresponding to the transport section) 81, an upstream stacking section (corresponding to the stacking section) 82, an upstream paper discharge jam detection section (corresponding to the detection section) 83, a downstream lower stacking section (corresponding to the stacking section) 84, a downstream paper discharge jam detection section (corresponding to the detection section) 85, a downstream upper stacking section (corresponding to the stacking section) 86, and a control section 87. The upstream stacking section 82, the downstream lower stacking section 84, and the downstream upper stacking section 86 form a storage section that stores paper P.

[0061] The paper discharge conveyance unit 81 receives and conveys paper P that has been conveyed from the paper feeder 2 via the upstream printing device 3, the inverter 4, the downstream printing device 5, and the image inspection device 6, and selectively discharges the paper to the upstream stacking unit 82, the downstream lower stacking unit 84, or the downstream upper stacking unit 86. The paper discharge conveyance unit 81 includes a common paper discharge path 91, an upstream paper discharge path 92, a downstream common paper discharge path 93, a downstream lower paper discharge path 94, a downstream upper paper discharge path 95, switching units 96 and 97, and a plurality of conveyance rollers 98.

[0062] The common paper discharge path 91 is a transport path common to the paper P transported to the upstream stacking section 82, the downstream lower stacking section 84, and the downstream upper stacking section 86 in the paper discharge transport section 81. The upstream end of the common paper discharge path 91 is connected to the downstream end of the inspection transport path 76.

[0063] The upstream discharge path 92 is a transport path for transporting and discharging the paper P to the upstream stacking unit 82. The upstream end of the upstream discharge path 92 is connected to the downstream end of the common discharge path 91.

[0064] The downstream common paper discharge path 93 is a transport path common to the paper P transported to the downstream lower stacking section 84 and the downstream upper stacking section 86. The upstream end of the downstream common paper discharge path 93 is connected to the downstream end of the common paper discharge path 91.

[0065] The downstream lower sheet discharge path 94 is a transport path for transporting and discharging the paper P to the downstream lower stacking unit 84. The upstream end of the downstream lower sheet discharge path 94 is connected to the downstream end of the downstream common sheet discharge path 93.

[0066] The downstream upper sheet discharge path 95 is a transport path for transporting and discharging the sheet P to the downstream upper stacking unit 86. The upstream end of the downstream upper sheet discharge path 95 is connected to the downstream end of the downstream common sheet discharge path 93.

[0067] The switching unit 96 switches the destination of the paper sheet P transported downstream from the common paper discharge path 91 between the upstream paper discharge path 92 and the downstream common paper discharge path 93. The switching unit 97 switches the destination of the paper sheet P transported downstream from the downstream common paper discharge path 93 between the downstream lower paper discharge path 94 and the downstream upper paper discharge path 95. The switching units 96 and 97 enable the paper discharge transport unit 81 to switch the destination of the paper sheet between the upstream stacking unit 82, the downstream lower stacking unit 84, and the downstream upper stacking unit 86.

[0068] Multiple conveying rollers 98 are arranged along the common paper discharge path 91, the upstream paper discharge path 92, the downstream common paper discharge path 93, the downstream lower paper discharge path 94, and the downstream upper paper discharge path 95, and convey the paper P to be discharged in the paper discharge device 7.

[0069] The upstream stacking section 82 stores the sheets P discharged from the upstream discharge path 92. The upstream stacking section 82 includes a discharge tray 101, an end fence 102, an offset guide 103, and a pair of side fences 104.

[0070] The paper ejection tray 101 is configured to stack the paper sheets P ejected to the upstream stacking section 82. The paper ejection tray 101 is configured to be able to move up and down.

[0071] The end fence 102 regulates the position of the leading edge (downstream edge) of the paper P discharged onto the paper discharge tray 101. The end fence 102 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction.

[0072] The offset guide 103 regulates the position of the rear end (upstream end) of the paper P discharged onto the paper discharge tray 101. The offset guide 103 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction.

[0073] A pair of side fences 104 regulates the widthwise position of the sheet P discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 101. The side fences 104 are configured to be movable in the widthwise direction of the sheet P.

[0074] The upstream discharge jam detection unit 83 detects the presence or absence of a discharge jam, which is a jam of the paper P in the upstream stacking unit 82, and the state of the discharge jam.

[0075] Here, paper discharge jams in the upstream stacking section 82 include paper P getting stuck as it is transported from the upstream paper discharge path 92 to the upstream stacking section 82, paper P leaning against the end fence 102 or offset guide 103, and paper discharge misalignment where the position of paper P on the paper discharge tray 101 is not aligned.

[0076] The state of the paper discharge jam indicates whether the paper can be discharged or not. Among the above-mentioned jammed paper P, the jammed paper P that can be discharged within a predetermined time if the conveying operation is continued, the leaning paper P, and the misaligned paper discharge are discharge jams in a state where the paper can be discharged.

[0077] The upstream discharge jam detection unit 83 includes a discharge sensor 106, a leaning detection sensor 107, and a discharge misalignment detection sensor .

[0078] The paper discharge sensor 106 detects paper P being discharged from the upstream paper discharge path 92 to the upstream stacking unit 82. The paper discharge sensor 106 is disposed near the upstream side of the conveyance roller 98, which is disposed at the downstream end of the upstream paper discharge path 92. The paper discharge sensor 106 is used to detect the aforementioned accumulation of paper P.

[0079] The leaning detection sensor 107 detects the presence or absence of paper P at a predetermined leaning detection position. The leaning detection position is higher than the lower end of the end fence 102 and the lower end of the offset guide 103. The leaning detection sensor 107 has a light-emitting element 107a and a light-receiving element 107b.

[0080] The light-emitting unit 107a and the light-receiving unit 107b are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart in the left-right direction, sandwiching the end fence 102 and the offset guide 103 therebetween. The light-emitting unit 107a emits light toward the light-receiving unit 107b. When there is no paper P between the light-emitting unit 107a and the light-receiving unit 107b, the light-receiving unit 107b receives the light from the light-emitting unit 107a, and does not receive the light when the light from the light-emitting unit 107a is blocked by the paper P. As a result, the leaning detection sensor 107 detects the leaning of the paper P described above when the light-receiving unit 107b does not receive the light from the light-emitting unit 107a.

[0081] The paper misalignment detection sensor 108 detects the paper P that has jumped out downstream (to the right) of the end fence 102. The paper misalignment detection sensor 108 is for detecting the above-mentioned misalignment of discharged paper.

[0082] The downstream lower stacking section 84 stores the paper sheets P discharged from the downstream lower paper discharge path 94. The downstream lower stacking section 84 includes a paper discharge tray 111, an end fence 112, an offset guide 113, and a pair of side fences 114.

[0083] The paper output tray 111, end fence 112, offset guide 113, and pair of side fences 114 have the same configuration as the paper output tray 101, end fence 102, offset guide 103, and pair of side fences 104 of the upstream stacking section 82 described above, respectively.

[0084] The downstream discharge jam detection unit 85 detects the presence or absence of a discharge jam and the state of the discharge jam in the downstream lower stacking unit 84. Similar to discharge jams in the upstream stacking unit 82, discharge jams in the downstream lower stacking unit 84 include a blockage of paper P being transported from the downstream lower discharge path 94 to the downstream lower stacking unit 84, paper P leaning against the end fence 112 or offset guide 113, and improper discharge alignment on the paper output tray 111.

[0085] The downstream discharge jam detection unit 85 includes a discharge sensor 116, a leaning detection sensor 117, and a discharge misalignment detection sensor 118.

[0086] The paper discharge sensor 116 detects paper P being discharged from the downstream lower paper discharge path 94 to the downstream lower stacking unit 84. The paper discharge sensor 116 is disposed near the upstream side of the conveyance roller 98, which is disposed at the downstream end of the downstream lower paper discharge path 94. The paper discharge sensor 116 is used to detect the aforementioned accumulation of paper P.

[0087] The leaning detection sensor 117 has the same configuration as the leaning detection sensor 107 of the upstream discharge paper jam detection unit 83 described above, and includes a light emitting portion 117a and a light receiving portion 117b.

[0088] The misalignment detection sensor 118 has the same configuration as the misalignment detection sensor 108 of the upstream paper discharge jam detection unit 83 described above.

[0089] The downstream upper stacking section 86 stores the sheets P discharged from the downstream upper sheet discharge path 95. The downstream upper stacking section 86 includes an end fence 121 and a pair of side fences 122.

[0090] The end fence 121 regulates the position of the leading edge (downstream edge) of the paper sheet P discharged to the downstream upper stacking section 86. The end fence 121 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction.

[0091] The pair of side fences 122 regulates the widthwise position of the paper P discharged to the downstream upper stacking section 86. The side fences 122 are configured to be movable in the widthwise direction of the paper P.

[0092] The control unit 87 controls the operation of each unit of the paper discharge device 7. The control unit 87 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 87 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 44 of the reversing device 4, the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5, and the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6.

[0093] Next, the operation of the printing system 1 will be described.

[0094] When printing is performed in the printing system 1, the paper feeder 2 takes out paper P from the upper paper feeder 11 or the lower paper feeder 12 and feeds the paper P to the upstream printing device 3. The upstream printing device 3 prints on one side of the paper P using the printing unit 32 while transporting the paper P.

[0095] The reversing device 4 reverses the paper P, one side of which has been printed by the upstream printing device 3, using the switchback transport section 42, and transports it to the downstream printing device 5 with the other side (unprinted side) facing up. While transporting the paper P, the downstream printing device 5 prints on the other side of the paper P using the printing section 62. As a result, images are printed on both sides of the paper P.

[0096] The image inspection device 6 inspects the images printed on both sides of the paper P and transports the paper P to the paper discharge device 7. The paper discharge device 7 discharges the printed paper P to the upstream stacking section 82 or the downstream lower stacking section 84.

[0097] When the sheets P are discharged to the upstream stacking section 82, the sheet discharge tray 101 is controlled to descend as the number of sheets P increases so that the height position of the top surface of the stack of sheets stacked on the sheet discharge tray 101 is maintained at a predetermined position. When the sheets P are discharged to the downstream lower stacking section 84, the sheet discharge tray 111 is controlled in the same way.

[0098] In this embodiment, the upstream stacking unit 82 or the downstream lower stacking unit 84 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing. The downstream upper stacking unit 86 is used when a paper discharge jam occurs, as will be described later.

[0099] Next, the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam occurs during the above-mentioned printing operation will be described.

[0100] Here, when the upstream stacking section 82 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing operation, if the upstream paper discharge jam detection section 83 detects at least one of the above-mentioned paper P being stuck, paper P leaning, and paper discharge misalignment, the control section 87 of the paper discharge device 7 determines that a paper discharge jam has occurred.

[0101] Specifically, the control unit 87 determines that the paper P has become stuck when the timing at which the paper discharge sensor 106 detects the rear end of the paper P is delayed from the theoretical value by a predetermined threshold value or more.

[0102] In addition, the control unit 87 determines that a leaning of the paper P has occurred when the number of discharged sheets reaches a predetermined number while the leaning detection sensor 107 is in an on state where it is detecting the paper P (when the light receiving unit 107b is receiving light from the light emitting unit 107a).

[0103] Furthermore, when the misalignment detection sensor 108 detects that the sheet P has jumped out downstream (to the right) of the end fence 102, the control unit 87 determines that misalignment has occurred.

[0104] Then, when the control unit 87 determines that at least one of the following has occurred: a paper jam has occurred: a paper jam has occurred; a paper jam has occurred; and a paper jam has occurred.

[0105] Similarly, when the downstream lower stacking section 84 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing operation, if the downstream paper discharge jam detection section 85 detects at least one of the following: paper P stuck, paper P leaning, and poor paper discharge alignment, the control section 87 determines that a paper discharge jam has occurred.

[0106] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam occurs. Here, the case where the upstream stacker 82 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing operation is explained, but the operation is similar when the downstream lower stacker 84 is set.

[0107] When it is determined that a paper discharge jam has occurred, in step S1 of FIG. 4, the control unit 87 determines whether or not the paper discharge jam that has occurred is a paper discharge jam in a state where paper can be discharged.

[0108] Here, if the paper discharge jam that has occurred is at least one of the paper P leaning over and the paper discharge being misaligned, and the paper P is not stuck, the control unit 87 determines that the paper discharge jam is in a state where the paper can be discharged.

[0109] Furthermore, even if a paper jam occurs, the control unit 87 continues the conveying operation of the paper discharge conveyance unit 81, and if the jammed paper P is discharged and the jam is resolved within a predetermined time after it is determined that a jam of paper P has occurred, it determines that the jammed paper is a paper discharge jam that can be discharged. Here, the fact that the jammed paper P has been discharged is detected by the paper discharge sensor 106 changing from on (a state in which paper P is detected) to off (a state in which paper P is not detected).

[0110] If it is determined that the paper discharge jam is in a state where paper discharge is possible (step S1: YES), in step S2, the control unit 87 causes the paper P that was being discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82 when the paper discharge jam occurred to be discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82. That is, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge conveying unit 81 to continue paper discharge. Here, the paper P that was being discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82 when the paper discharge jam occurred is paper P whose leading edge had already entered the upstream paper discharge path 92 when the paper discharge jam occurred.

[0111] Next, in step S3, the control unit 87 controls the discharge conveyance unit 81 to switch the discharge destination of the paper P that was being discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82 when the paper discharge jam occurred to the downstream upper stacking unit 86. As a result, after the paper P that was being discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82 when the paper discharge jam occurred is discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82, the paper P is discharged to the downstream upper stacking unit 86.

[0112] Here, in the printing system 1, when a paper discharge jam is detected, the upper paper feed unit 11 and the lower paper feed unit 12 stop feeding paper P at that point, and printing by the printing unit 32 of the upstream printing device 3 and the printing unit 62 of the downstream printing device 5 also stops.

[0113] In this way, because printing is stopped when a paper discharge jam is detected, there is a possibility that printing has not been completed normally on the paper P that is discharged after the paper discharge jam occurs. In response to this, by switching the paper discharge destination in step S3 described above, paper P that may not have been printed normally is discharged to the downstream upper stacking unit 86, which is different from the upstream stacking unit 82 that has been set as the paper discharge destination.

[0114] Next, in step S4, the control unit 87 determines whether or not paper discharge is complete. Paper discharge is complete when all of the paper P being transported by the printing system 1 at the time the paper discharge jam was detected has been discharged. If it is determined that paper discharge is not complete (step S4: NO), the control unit 87 repeats step S4.

[0115] When the control unit 87 determines that the paper discharge is complete (step S4: YES), the series of operations ends. At this time, the operations of the paper feed conveyance unit 13, the print conveyance unit 31, the reverse upstream conveyance unit 41, the switchback conveyance unit 42, the reverse downstream conveyance unit 43, the print conveyance unit 61, the inspection conveyance unit 71, and the paper discharge conveyance unit 81 are stopped.

[0116] In step S1, if the control unit 87 determines that the paper jam is not in a state where paper can be discharged (step S1: NO), in step S5, the control units 14, 33, 44, 63, 74, and 87 stop the transport of paper P by the paper feed transport unit 13, the print transport unit 31, the reverse upstream transport unit 41, the switchback transport unit 42, the reverse downstream transport unit 43, the print transport unit 61, the inspection transport unit 71, and the paper discharge transport unit 81, respectively. This ends the series of operations.

[0117] When the transport of the paper P is stopped in step S5, the paper P remaining in each device of the printing system 1 is removed by the user.

[0118] As described above, in the paper discharge device 7, when a paper discharge jam is detected in a state where paper discharge is possible, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge transport unit 81 to continue paper discharge. This reduces the likelihood of a situation in which a large amount of paper P remains in the printing system 1 due to the occurrence of a paper discharge jam. As a result, it is possible to reduce the work of removing paper P remaining in the printing system 1 when a jam occurs.

[0119] Furthermore, in the paper discharge device 7, when the paper discharge destination is set to the upstream stacking section 82, if a paper discharge jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, the control section 87 controls the paper discharge conveyance section 81 to switch the paper discharge destination after discharge of paper P being discharged to the upstream stacking section 82 to the downstream upper stacking section 86. This makes it possible to discharge paper P for which there is a high possibility that printing has been completed successfully and paper P for which there is a possibility that printing has not been completed successfully to separate paper discharge destinations.

[0120] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described, which is a modification of the operation when a paper discharge jam occurs in the first embodiment described above.

[0121] 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam occurs in the second embodiment. Here, as in the first embodiment, the case where the upstream stacker 82 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing operation will be explained, but the operation is also similar when the downstream lower stacker 84 is set.

[0122] The processes in steps S11 and S12 in FIG. 5 are the same as the processes in steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 4 described above.

[0123] Next, in step S13, the control unit 87 determines whether the next sheet P (the sheet P to be discharged next) is a sheet P that has been printed on normally.

[0124] Here, the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6 inspects whether or not the paper P has been properly printed by the upstream printing device 3 and the downstream printing device 5, based on the read data obtained by the inspection units 72, 73 reading the image printed on the paper P transported from the downstream printing device 5. For example, if printing of the image on at least one side of the paper P has not been completed, or if the image on the front side and the image on the back side of the paper P do not match, the control unit 74 determines that the paper P has not been properly printed.

[0125] The control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7 acquires the inspection results of each paper sheet P from the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6, and determines whether each paper sheet P is a paper sheet P that has been printed on normally based on the inspection results.

[0126] If it is determined that the next sheet P is a sheet P that has been printed normally (step S13: YES), in step S14, the control unit 87 controls the sheet discharge conveying unit 81 to discharge the sheet P to the upstream stacking unit 82.

[0127] Next, in step S15, the control section 87 determines whether or not there is the next sheet of paper P. If it is determined that there is the next sheet of paper P (step S15: YES), the control section 87 returns to step S13.

[0128] If the control unit 87 determines that there is no next sheet P (step S15: NO), the series of operations ends. At this time, the operations of the paper feed conveyance unit 13, the print conveyance unit 31, the reverse upstream conveyance unit 41, the switchback conveyance unit 42, the reverse downstream conveyance unit 43, the print conveyance unit 61, the inspection conveyance unit 71, and the paper discharge conveyance unit 81 are stopped.

[0129] In step S13, if the control unit 87 determines that the next sheet P is not a sheet P that has been normally printed on (step S13: NO), in step S16, the control unit 87 controls the discharge conveyance unit 81 to discharge the sheet P to the downstream upper stacking unit 86. After this, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0130] In step S11, if the control unit 87 determines that the paper jam is not in a state where paper can be discharged (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S17. The process of step S17 is the same as the process of step S5 in Fig. 4. When the transport of the paper P is stopped in step S17, the series of operations ends.

[0131] As described above, in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when a paper discharge jam is detected in a state where paper discharge is possible, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge conveyance unit 81 to continue paper discharge. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the work of removing paper P remaining in the printing system 1 when a jam occurs.

[0132] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when the discharge destination is set to the upstream stacking section 82, the control section 87 controls the discharge transport section 81 to switch the discharge destination between the upstream stacking section 82 and the downstream upper stacking section 86 for paper P discharged after paper P being discharged to the upstream stacking section 82 as a discharge destination when a paper discharge jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, depending on whether the paper P has been successfully printed by the upstream printing device 3 and the downstream printing device 5. This allows paper P for which printing has been completed successfully and paper P for which printing has not been completed successfully to be discharged to separate discharge destinations.

[0133] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described in which the paper discharge device and the operation when a paper discharge jam occurs in the first embodiment are partially modified. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the paper discharge device in the third embodiment.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 6, a paper discharge device 7A in the third embodiment has a configuration in which the paper discharge conveyance section 81 of the paper discharge device 7 in the first embodiment described above is replaced with a paper discharge conveyance section 81A.

[0135] The discharged paper conveyance section 81A has a configuration in which a discharged paper reversing section 131 and paper sensors 132 and 133 are added to the discharged paper conveyance section 81 of the paper discharge device 7 shown in FIG.

[0136] The discharged paper reversing unit 131 reverses the paper P conveyed from the image inspection device 6 to the discharged paper conveying unit 81A. The discharged paper reversing unit 131 includes a discharged paper reversing path (corresponding to a branch path) 136, switching units 137 and 138, a plurality of conveying rollers 139, and a switchback roller 140.

[0137] The discharged paper inversion path 136 is a transport path for inverting the paper P by switching it back. The discharged paper inversion path 136 is connected midway to the common discharged paper path 91 (corresponding to the common path). The discharged paper inversion path 136 includes a discharged paper inversion upstream path 146, a switchback path 147, and a discharged paper inversion downstream path 148.

[0138] The paper discharge / reverse upstream path 146 is a transport path for transporting paper P from the middle of the common paper discharge path 91 to the switchback roller 140. The upstream end of the paper discharge / reverse upstream path 146 is connected to the common paper discharge path 91 near the downstream side of the most upstream transport roller 98, and the downstream end of the paper discharge / reverse upstream path 146 is connected to one end (upper end) of the switchback path 147.

[0139] The switchback path 147 is a transport path for switching back the paper P. One end (upper end) of the switchback path 147 is connected to the downstream end of the paper discharge / reversal upstream path 146 and the upstream end of the paper discharge / reversal downstream path 148.

[0140] The paper discharge reversal downstream path 148 is a transport path for returning the paper P switched back by the switchback roller 140 to the common paper discharge path 91. The upstream end of the paper discharge reversal downstream path 148 is connected to one end (upper end) of the switchback path 147, and the downstream end of the paper discharge reversal downstream path 148 is connected to the common paper discharge path 91 near the upstream side of the third transport roller 98 from the upstream side.

[0141] The switching unit 137 switches the transport path of the paper P between the common paper discharge path 91 and the paper discharge inversion upstream path 146 near the downstream side of the most upstream transport roller 98. The switching unit 138 guides the paper P before switchback from the paper discharge inversion upstream path 146 to the switchback path 147, and guides the paper P switched back by the switchback roller 140 from the switchback path 147 to the paper discharge inversion downstream path 148.

[0142] A plurality of transport rollers 139 are arranged along the upstream discharge / reverse path 146 and the downstream discharge / reverse path 148, and transport the sheet P before and after the switchback.

[0143] The switchback roller 140 is a roller that switches back the paper sheet P. The switchback roller 140 is configured to be rotatable forward and backward in order to switch back the paper sheet P. The switchback roller 140 is disposed at the upper end of the switchback path 147.

[0144] The paper sensors 132 and 133 detect paper P transported along the common paper discharge path 91. The paper sensor 132 is disposed near the downstream side of the transport roller 98 between the connection point between the common paper discharge path 91 and the paper discharge reverse upstream path 146 and the connection point between the common paper discharge path 91 and the paper discharge reverse downstream path 148. The paper sensor 133 is disposed at the downstream end of the common paper discharge path 91, downstream of the connection point between the common paper discharge path 91 and the paper discharge reverse downstream path 148.

[0145] Next, the operation of the printing system 1 when a discharge jam occurs due to the accumulation of paper P in a state where it cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacker 82 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0146] The processing of the flowchart in Figure 7 begins when a paper discharge jam occurs due to paper P being stuck when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking section 82, and it is determined that the paper discharge jam is not a paper discharge jam in a state where paper can be discharged (a paper discharge jam in a state where paper cannot be discharged).

[0147] Here, at the point when it is determined that the stuck paper discharge jam is not a paper discharge jam in a state where paper can be discharged, the next paper P after the stuck paper P that caused the stuck paper discharge jam is assumed to have entered the upstream paper discharge path 92 (corresponding to the loading path).

[0148] Furthermore, the setting may be such that the paper P discharged in the paper discharge transport section 81A is reversed, or may be such that the paper P is not reversed.

[0149] Here, in the third embodiment, when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking section 82 and a discharge jam occurs due to the accumulation of paper P, even if it is determined that the discharge jam is not a discharge jam in a state where paper can be discharged, transport is not stopped at that point.

[0150] Furthermore, when a paper discharge jam due to a stagnation of paper P is detected, as in the first and second embodiments, the upper paper feed unit 11 and the lower paper feed unit 12 stop feeding paper P at that point, and printing by the printing unit 32 of the upstream printing device 3 and the printing unit 62 of the downstream printing device 5 also stops.

[0151] 7, the control unit 87 determines whether the trailing edge of the next sheet P of the retained paper has reached the downstream side of the reverse exit within a predetermined time after determining that the retained paper discharge jam is not a paper discharge jam in a state where the paper can be discharged. Here, the reverse exit is the connection point between the common paper discharge path 91 and the paper discharge reverse downstream path 148.

[0152] If it is determined that the rear end of the next sheet P of the retained paper has reached the downstream side of the reversing exit within the predetermined time (step S21: YES), in step S22, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge conveying unit 81A to reversely convey the next sheet P of the retained paper to the paper discharge reversing downstream path 148 until its leading edge (the leading edge of the sheet P in the conveying direction at the time of discharge) reaches the upstream side of the reversing exit. The control unit 87 also controls the paper discharge conveying unit 81A to stop the next sheet P of the retained paper near the upstream side of the reversing exit on the common paper discharge path 91.

[0153] Specifically, first, the control unit 87 stops the sheet P2, which is the sheet P next to the retained sheet P1, when the rear end of the sheet P2 reaches the downstream side of the reversing exit, as shown in Fig. 8. Note that, as shown in Fig. 8, the retained sheet P1 is the sheet P retained at the exit (downstream end) of the upstream discharge path 92.

[0154] Furthermore, the control units 14, 33, 44, and 63 respectively stop the transport of the paper P by the paper feed transport unit 13, the print transport unit 31, the reverse upstream transport unit 41, the switchback transport unit 42, the reverse downstream transport unit 43, and the print transport unit 61. The transport of the paper P by the inspection transport unit 71 continues.

[0155] 9, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge conveyance unit 81A to convey the paper P2 from the downstream side in the conveyance direction at the time of paper discharge to the paper discharge reversal downstream path 148. Here, the connection point (reversal exit) between the common paper discharge path 91 and the paper discharge reversal downstream path 148 is structured so that the paper P conveyed along the common paper discharge path 91 from the downstream side in the conveyance direction at the time of paper discharge in the opposite direction to the time of paper discharge enters the paper discharge reversal downstream path 148.

[0156] 10, the control unit 87 controls the discharge conveyance unit 81A to stop the sheet P2 when the leading edge of the sheet P2 (the trailing edge of the sheet P when conveyed in the reverse direction) reaches the upstream side of the reversing exit. Here, the control unit 87 can determine that the leading edge of the sheet P2 has reached the upstream side of the reversing exit based on the elapsed time since the leading edge of the sheet P2 was detected by the sheet sensor 133.

[0157] 9 and 10, the control unit 87 controls the discharge conveyance unit 81A to stop the sheet P3, which is the sheet P after the retained sheet (the sheet P after sheet P2) and which has been conveyed from the inspection conveyance unit 71, near the upstream side of the reversing exit of the common discharge path 91. The control unit 74 also stops the operation of the inspection conveyance unit 71. Here, the control unit 87 can determine that the leading edge of the sheet P3 has reached the upstream side of the reversing exit of the common discharge path 91 by detecting the leading edge of the sheet P3 with the sheet sensor 132.

[0158] Returning to FIG. 7, in step S23, the control unit 87 controls the discharged paper conveyance unit 81A to switch the paper discharge destination to the downstream upper stacking unit 86 (corresponding to the other stacking unit) and discharge the paper there.

[0159] Specifically, the control unit 87 controls the switching unit 96 so that the destination of the paper sheet P transported downstream from the common paper discharge path 91 is the downstream common paper discharge path 93. The control unit 87 also controls the switching unit 97 so that the destination of the paper sheet P transported downstream from the downstream common paper discharge path 93 is the downstream upper paper discharge path 95.

[0160] 11, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge conveyance unit 81A to discharge the paper P2 from the paper discharge reversal downstream path 148. The paper P2 discharged from the paper discharge reversal downstream path 148 is guided from the common paper discharge path 91 to the downstream common paper discharge path 93, as shown in FIG.

[0161] After the rear end of sheet P2 passes through the reversing exit, control unit 87 resumes conveyance of sheet P3, as shown in Fig. 13. Sheet P3 is also guided from common sheet ejection path 91 to downstream common sheet ejection path 93.

[0162] Furthermore, after the transport of paper P3 is resumed, the control units 14, 33, 44, 63, and 74 respectively cause the paper feed transport unit 13, the printing transport unit 31, the reverse upstream transport unit 41, the switchback transport unit 42, the reverse downstream transport unit 43, the printing transport unit 61, and the inspection transport unit 71 to resume transport of paper P.

[0163] As a result, the sheets P2, P3, and the sheet P following sheet P3 pass through the downstream common discharge path 93 and the downstream upper discharge path 95 and are discharged to the downstream upper stacking section 86. Note that the transport path consisting of the downstream common discharge path 93 and the downstream upper discharge path 95 corresponds to another stacking path.

[0164] 7, in step S24, the control unit 87 determines whether or not paper discharge is complete. Paper discharge is completed when all of the paper sheets P being transported by the printing system 1 at the time of detection of the paper discharge jam due to the retention of paper sheets P have been discharged. If it is determined that paper discharge is not complete (step S24: NO), the control unit 87 repeats step S24.

[0165] When the control unit 87 determines that the paper discharge is complete (step S24: YES), the series of operations ends. At this time, the operations of the paper feed conveyance unit 13, the print conveyance unit 31, the reverse upstream conveyance unit 41, the switchback conveyance unit 42, the reverse downstream conveyance unit 43, the print conveyance unit 61, the inspection conveyance unit 71, and the paper discharge conveyance unit 81A are stopped.

[0166] In step S21, if the control unit 87 determines that the rear end of the next sheet P of retained sheets has not reached the downstream side of the reversing exit within the predetermined time (step S21: NO), in step S25, the control units 14, 33, 44, 63, 74, and 87 stop the transport of the sheet P by the paper feed transport unit 13, the printing transport unit 31, the reversing upstream transport unit 41, the switchback transport unit 42, the reversing downstream transport unit 43, the printing transport unit 61, the inspection transport unit 71, and the discharge transport unit 81A, respectively. This completes the series of operations.

[0167] If the next sheet P of the retained paper is stuck because it hits another retained sheet, the rear end of the next sheet P of the retained paper may not reach the downstream side of the reversing exit within the specified time. In this case, the transport stop (emergency stop) process is performed in step S25 as described above.

[0168] When the transport of the paper P is stopped in step S25, the paper P remaining in each device of the printing system 1 is removed by the user.

[0169] In addition, if the next sheet P of the stuck paper has not yet entered the upstream paper discharge path 92 at the point in time when it is determined that the stuck paper discharge jam is not a paper discharge jam in a state where paper can be discharged, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge conveying unit 81A to switch the discharge destination of the next sheet P of the stuck paper to the downstream upper stacking unit 86 and discharge it.

[0170] As described above, in the third embodiment, when a paper discharge jam is detected in which paper stuck at the outlet of the upstream paper discharge path 92 cannot be discharged, and the next paper P after the stuck paper is entering the upstream paper discharge path 92 at the time the paper discharge jam is detected, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge conveying unit 81A to transport the next paper P after the stuck paper from the downstream side in the conveying direction at the time of discharge into the paper discharge inversion path 136, and then transport (discharge) the next paper P after the stuck paper from the paper discharge inversion path 136 and transport (discharge) it to the downstream upper stacking unit 86 via the downstream common paper discharge path 93 and the downstream upper paper discharge path 95, and to transport (discharge) the subsequent paper P after the next paper P after the stuck paper to the downstream upper stacking unit 86.

[0171] This makes it possible to reduce the situation where a large amount of paper P remains in the printing system 1 even when a paper discharge jam occurs, preventing paper from being discharged. As a result, it is possible to reduce the work required to remove paper P remaining in the printing system 1 when a jam occurs.

[0172] In the third embodiment, the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam is detected in a state where paper can be discharged is the same as in the first embodiment. Also, the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam is detected in a state where paper can be discharged may be the same in the third embodiment as in the second embodiment.

[0173] In addition, in the above-described third embodiment, the next paper P after the retained paper was transported (discharged) to the downstream upper stacking section 86, but it is also possible to transport (discharge) the paper to the downstream lower stacking section 84 via the downstream common paper discharge path 93 and the downstream lower paper discharge path 94.

[0174] In the third embodiment described above, the discharge reversal path 136 is connected to the common discharge path 91, and the sheet P next to the retained sheet that has been reversely transported is transported into the discharge reversal path 136. However, the transport path connected to the common discharge path 91, into which the sheet P next to the retained sheet that has been reversely transported, may not involve the reversal of the sheet P.

[0175] [Other embodiments] As described above, the present invention has been described by the first to third embodiments, but the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0176] In the first embodiment described above, when a paper jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, the paper discharge destination is switched after the paper P being discharged is discharged. Also, in the second embodiment described above, for a paper P that is discharged after a paper P being discharged in a state where paper can be discharged, the paper discharge destination is switched depending on whether the paper P has been printed normally. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and if the detected paper jam is a paper jam in a state where paper can be discharged, it is sufficient that paper discharge continues even after the paper jam occurs.

[0177] In the first embodiment described above, the case where the paper discharge destination is switched from the upstream stacking section 82 to the downstream upper stacking section 86 has been described. However, this is not limiting, and the paper discharge destination after switching may be, for example, the downstream lower stacking section 84. It is sufficient if the paper discharge destination after discharge of the paper being discharged when a jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged is switched to a stacking section different from the previous one.

[0178] In the second embodiment described above, when switching the paper discharge destination depending on whether the paper P has been printed normally, the case has been described where the destination is switched between the upstream stacking section 82 and the downstream upper stacking section 86. However, this is not limiting, and the paper discharge destination may be switched between the upstream stacking section 82 and the downstream lower stacking section 84, for example. It is sufficient if the stacking section that serves as the paper discharge destination is switched depending on whether the paper P has been printed normally.

[0179] As such, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention-specifying matters according to the scope of the claims that are appropriate from the above description.

[0180] [Note] The present application discloses the following inventions.

[0181] (Appendix 1) a storage section for storing paper; a conveying section that conveys the paper and discharges it into the storage section; a detection unit that detects whether or not a paper jam has occurred in the storage unit and the state of the jam; a control unit that controls the conveyance unit to continue paper discharge when the detection unit detects a jam that is in a state where paper discharge is possible; A paper discharge device comprising:

[0182] (Appendix 2) the storage section has a plurality of stacking sections for storing paper sheets, the conveying unit is capable of switching the sheet discharge destination among the plurality of stacking units, The paper discharge device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the control unit controls the conveying unit to switch the discharge destination of the paper being discharged to the stacking unit different from the previous one when a jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged.

[0183] (Appendix 3) the storage section has a plurality of stacking sections for storing paper sheets, the transport unit transports paper that has been transported via a printing device, and is capable of switching the paper discharge destination among the plurality of stacking units; The paper discharge device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that when a jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, the control unit controls the conveying unit to switch the stacking unit that will be the discharge destination for paper that is to be discharged after paper being discharged to the stacking unit as the discharge destination, depending on whether the paper has been printed normally by the printing device.

[0184] (Appendix 4) the storage unit has a stacking unit for storing paper sheets and another stacking unit; the transport unit has a common path, a branch path connected midway along the common path, a loading path extending from a downstream end of the common path in a paper transport direction toward the loading unit, and another loading path extending from a downstream end of the common path toward the other loading unit, The paper jam in the storage section includes a jam in which paper discharged to the stacking section is retained at an outlet of the stacking path, The control unit is characterized in that, when the detection unit detects a jam in which paper stuck at the exit of the loading path cannot be discharged, and when the jam state is detected and the next sheet of paper to the stuck paper is entering the loading path, the control unit controls the transport unit to transport the next sheet of paper from the downstream side in the transport direction into the branch path, then transport the next sheet of paper from the branch path and transport it to the other loading section via the other loading path, and to transport the sheets following the next sheet of paper to the other loading section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] 1 Printing System 2 Paper feeder 3 Upstream printing device 4. Inverter 5 Downstream printing device 6. Image inspection equipment 7,7A Paper ejection device 81,81A Paper ejection transport section 82 Upstream loading section 83 Upstream paper ejection jam detection unit 84 Downstream lower loading section 85 Downstream paper ejection jam detection unit 86 Downstream upper loading section 87 Control Unit 91 Common paper exit path 92 Upstream ejection path 93 Downstream common ejection path 94 Downstream lower delivery path 95 Downstream upper delivery path 131 Paper output reversal unit 136 Paper output reversal path

Claims

1. a storage section for storing paper; a conveying section that conveys the paper and discharges it into the storage section; a detection unit that detects whether or not a paper jam has occurred in the storage unit and the state of the jam; a control unit that controls the conveyance unit to continue paper discharge when the detection unit detects a jam that allows paper discharge; the storage section has a plurality of stacking sections for storing paper sheets, the transport unit transports paper that has been transported via a printing device, and is capable of switching the paper discharge destination among the plurality of stacking units; The control unit controls the conveying unit to switch the stacking unit that will be the destination for paper that is to be discharged after paper that is being discharged to the stacking unit when a jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, depending on whether the paper has been printed normally by the printing device.

2. a storage section for storing paper; a conveying section that conveys the paper and discharges it into the storage section; a detection unit that detects whether or not a paper jam has occurred in the storage unit and the state of the jam; a control unit that controls the conveyance unit to continue paper discharge when the detection unit detects a jam that allows paper discharge; the storage unit has a stacking unit for storing paper sheets and another stacking unit; the transport unit has a common path, a branch path connected midway along the common path, a loading path extending from a downstream end of the common path in a paper transport direction toward the loading unit, and another loading path extending from a downstream end of the common path toward the other loading unit, The paper jam in the storage section includes a jam in which paper discharged to the stacking section is retained at an outlet of the stacking path, The control unit is a paper discharge device characterized in that, when the detection unit detects a jam in which paper that is stuck at the exit of the loading path cannot be discharged, and when the jam state is detected and the next sheet of paper after the stuck paper is entering the loading path, the control unit controls the transport unit to transport the next sheet of paper from the downstream side in the transport direction into the branch path, then transport the next sheet of paper from the branch path and transport it to the other loading section via the other loading path, and to transport the sheets following the next sheet of paper to the other loading section.

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