IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a first and a second image forming sections, a paper feeding section, and a paper output section. The image forming sections form an image on paper independently. The apparatus is laterally dividable into a first and a second portions where the first and second image forming sections are respectively positioned. The feeding section is arranged below the first image forming section in the first portion. The output section is arranged above the second image forming section in the second portion. The apparatus has two simple transport paths that run vertically through the image forming sections, respectively, without intersecting each other and detouring around the second or first image forming section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-section of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-section of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus laterally dividable into a first portion and a second portion, the image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming section, positioned in the first portion, for forming an image on paper;a second image forming section, positioned in the second portion, for forming an image on paper independently of the first image forming section;a first paper feeding section for feeding paper to each of the first and second image forming sections, the first paper feeding section positioned below the first image forming section in the first portion; anda first paper output section for outputting paper on which an image is formed in each of the first and second image forming sections, the first paper output section positioned above the second image forming section.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second image forming sections: performs an electrophotographic image forming process; andhas a transfer position and a fusing position each arranged near a boundary between the first and second portions.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the first image forming section is a black-and-white image forming section; andthe second image forming section is a color image forming section.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the second image forming section is a tandem color image forming section that has a plurality of photoreceptor drums for forming images of respective colors; andthe photoreceptor drums are arranged in horizontal alignment with respective axial directions parallel to one another.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first paper output section has a plurality of paper output trays arranged in tiers.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a second paper feeding section positioned below the second image forming section.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a third paper feeding section for feeding paper only to the first image forming section, the third paper feeding section positioned below the first image forming section.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second paper output section positioned above the first image forming section.

9. An image forming apparatus laterally dividable into a first portion and a second portion, the image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming section, positioned in the first portion, for forming an image on paper;a second image forming section, positioned in the second portion, for forming an image on paper independently of the first image forming section;a paper feeding section for feeding paper to each of the first and second image forming sections, the paper feeding section positioned above the first image forming section in the first portion; anda paper output section for outputting paper on which an image is formed in each of the first and second image forming sections, the paper output section positioned below the second image forming section in the second portion.

10. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming section for forming an image on paper, the first image forming section having a horizontal surface and a vertical surface;a second image forming section for forming an image on paper independently of the first image forming section, the second image forming section having a horizontal surface and a vertical surface;a paper feeding section for feeding paper to each of the first and second image forming sections, the paper feeding section having: a horizontal surface in contact with the horizontal surface of the first image forming section; anda vertical surface in contact with the vertical surface of the second image forming section; anda paper output section for outputting paper on which an image is formed in each of the first and second image forming sections, the paper output section having: a horizontal surface in contact with the horizontal surface of the second image forming section; anda vertical surface in contact with the vertical surface of the first image forming section.

11. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming section for forming an image on paper;a second image forming section for forming an image on paper independently of the first image forming section;a paper feeding section for feeding paper to each of the first and second image forming sections;a paper output section for outputting paper on which an image is formed in each of the first and second image forming sections;a first transport path for transporting paper from the paper feeding section to the first image forming section;a second transport path for transporting paper from the paper feeding section to the second image forming section;a third transport path, connected to the first transport path, for transporting paper from the first image forming section to the paper output section; anda fourth transport path, connected to the second transport path, for transporting paper from the second image forming section to the paper output section.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second image forming sections is a color image forming section using an intermediate transfer method, and has a second transfer position located at a connection either between the first and third transport paths or between the second and fourth transport paths.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: the third transport path transports paper to an upper part of the paper output section from above; andthe fourth transport path transports paper to the upper part of the paper output section from below.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: the third transport path transports paper to an upper part of the paper output section from above; andthe fourth transport path transports paper to the upper part of the paper output section from below.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: the paper output section has a plurality of paper output trays arranged in tiers; andthe fourth transport path transports downward paper that has passed through the third transport path.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: the paper output section has a plurality of paper output trays arranged in tiers; andthe fourth transport path transports downward paper that has passed through the third transport path.