Conveying device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A conveying device conveys a sheet of non-blank recording medium recorded with an image formed in an image forming unit, and includes a container that is detachable and contains a sheet of blank recording medium, a feeding unit that feeds the blank recording medium from the container, and a recirculating path that leads the non-blank recording medium to the feeding unit. The recirculating path is disposed lateral to the image forming unit. A part of the recirculating path is integrated into the container and forms a reversing path that leads to the feeding unit. At least one of surfaces of the reversing path can be exposed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an image forming apparatus that includes a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a feeding unit shown in FIG. 1 that includes a reversing path with a conveying guide member closed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the feeding unit with the conveying guide member open; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of significant components shown in FIG. 3 for explaining how the conveying guide member rotates to open.

Claims

1. A conveying device that conveys a sheet of non-blank recording medium printed with an image formed in an image forming unit, the conveying device comprising: a container that is detachably disposed below the image forming unit in a chassis and contains a blank recording medium;a feeding unit that feeds the blank recording medium from the container to the image forming unit, wherein the image forming unit forms a first image on a first surface of the blank recording medium; anda recirculating path that leads the recording medium having the first image printed on the first surface to the feeding unit, wherein the feeding unit feeds the recording medium having the first image printed on the first surface to the image forming unit, and the image forming unit forms a second image on a second surface of the recording medium having the first image printed on the first surface, whereinthe recirculating path is disposed lateral to the image forming unit,a part of the recirculating path is integrated into the container and forms a reversing path that leads to the feeding unit, andat least one of surfaces of the reversing path can be exposed.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a component that forms one of the surfaces opens so as to expose the reversing path.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a component rotates toward and away from other surface so as to expose the reversing path.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a component can be detached from the other surface, so as to expose the reversing path.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein an end of the recording medium having the first image printed on the first surface passes the reversing path to join an original conveying path of the blank recording medium fed from the container, the end being a tail end of the recording medium when originally fed from the container.

6. The conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a manual-feeding path that extends from an insertion slot to the reversing path, the insertion slot being disposed in the chassis at a substantially same height as the feeding unit.

7. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein a rotation axis of the component is provided on a side closer to the feeding unit.

8. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein a rotation axis of the component is provided on a side closer to the feeding unit.

9. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein one of the surfaces of the reversing path is formed with a cover of the container.

10. The conveying device according to claim 9, wherein the cover includes a handle arranged near the reversing path, wherein a user holds the handle to attach and detach the container.

11. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the container is a cassette.

12. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that records a first image on a first surface of blank recording medium; anda conveying-device including, a container that is detachably disposed below the image forming unit in a chassis and contains a sheet of the blank recording medium;a feeding unit that feeds the blank recording medium from the container to the image forming unit, wherein the image forming unit forms a first image on a first surface of the blank recording medium; anda recirculating path that leads the recording medium having the first image printed on the first surface to the feeding unit, wherein the feeding unit feeds the recording medium having the first image printed on the first surface to the image forming unit, and the image forming unit forms a second image on a second surface of the recording medium having the first image printed on the first surface, whereinthe recirculating path is disposed lateral to the image forming unit,a part of the recirculating path is integrated into the container and forms a reversing path that leads to the feeding unit, andat least one of surfaces of the reversing path can be exposed.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the container is a cassette that supports the blank recording medium to contact the feeding unit.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the container includes the reversing path, andthe reversing path can open when the container is detached from the chassis.