Patent Application
20180178563
The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2016-252563, filed Dec. 27, 2016 and 2017-166547, filed Aug. 31, 2017 are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present disclosure relates to a medium supporting device for supporting a medium such as paper, and to a printing apparatus provided with such a medium supporting device.
Image forming apparatuses such as photocopiers and printers are typically provided with a paper discharge tray where paper is discharged after an image is formed thereon (for example, see JP-A-2002-226119). Such paper discharge trays are configured so as to be capable of supporting plural sheets of paper in a stacked state, and include a paper discharge tray body and an extension tray that is stored in the paper discharge tray body so as to be able to be pulled out therefrom. In cases in which the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray is longer than the paper discharge tray body in the direction of paper discharge, the length of the paper discharge tray in the direction of paper discharge can be extended by pulling the extension tray out from the paper discharge tray body.
However, in paper discharge trays such as described above the paper support face of the paper discharge tray body is flat. Thus, along a width direction orthogonal to the direction of paper discharge, variation in the positions of paper discharged onto the support face has been an issue.
An advantage of some aspects of the disclosure is that a medium supporting device and a printing apparatus are provided in which variation in the width direction positions of medium discharged onto a support face can be suppressed.
The following relates to the way in which the above issues are addressed and the advantageous effects thereof.
A medium supporting device includes a support portion and an extension support portion. The support portion has a support face that supports a discharged medium. The extension support portion is supported by the support portion, and is capable of movement between a storage position in which the extension support portion is stored in the support portion and an extended position in which the extension support portion has been moved so as to extend along a discharge direction of the medium from a leading end side of the support portion in the discharge direction. First projections projecting upward above the height of the support face are provided, as a pair, at both ends of the discharge direction leading end side of the support portion so as to be inclined upward on progression toward the discharge direction side. Second projections projecting upward above the height of the support face are provided, as a pair, at both ends of the discharge direction leading end side of the extension support portion so as to be inclined upward on progression toward the discharge direction side. The pair of second projections are positioned to the inside of the pair of first projections in a width direction orthogonal to the discharge direction.
With this configuration, in cases in which the extension support portion is at the extended position and the width of medium discharged onto the support face is narrower than the distance between the pair of first projections and wider than the distance between the pair of second projections, both width direction ends of the medium discharged onto the support face ride over the pair of second projections as the pair of first projections restrict width direction movement of the medium. When this occurs, force toward the width direction inside acts on the medium, causing the medium to bend such that the width direction central portion of the medium droops down under its own weight. This enables variation in the width direction positions of medium discharged onto the support face to be suppressed.
Further, even when the extension support portion is in a stored state, both width direction ends of discharged medium ride over the first projections and the second projections such that the width direction central portion of the medium bends, and so the medium is imparted with stiffness (rigidity) as it is supported by the support portion. Thus, even when the extension support portion is in a stored state (a shortened state), a leading end portion of medium that projects beyond the support portion can be prevented from drooping downward and causing the medium to fall down under its own weight.
In the medium supporting device, walls that extend along the discharge direction are preferably provided, as a pair, at both ends of the support portion in the width direction so as to face each other across the support face.
With this configuration, width direction movement of medium discharged onto the support face can be restricted by the pair of walls.
In the medium supporting device, in a state in which the extension support portion is at the extended position, inner faces of the pair of first projections in the width direction preferably restrict movement in the width direction of any of the medium having a width that is narrower than a distance between the pair of first projections.
With this configuration, width direction movement of medium discharged onto the support face can be appropriately restricted by the inner faces of the pair of first projections in the width direction.
In the medium supporting device, in a state in which the extension support portion is at the storage position, the pair of second projections are preferably disposed at the width direction inside of the pair of first projections so as to be adjacent to the first projections, and such that the height of the second projections from the support face is lower than the height of the pair of first projections from the support face.
With this configuration, when both width direction ends of medium discharged onto the support face ride over from the pair of first projections to the pair of second projections, the medium can be bent such that the width direction central portion of the medium droops down under its own weight well-balanced in the width direction.
In the medium supporting device, the pair of second projections of the extension support portion are preferably linked together by a concave curved face.
With this configuration, when both width direction ends of medium discharged onto the support face ride over the pair of second projections, the medium can be bent such that the width direction central portion of the medium is drooped down more deeply by its own weight.
In the medium supporting device, at least one out of the pair of first projections or the pair of second projections preferably decreases in height on progression toward the width direction inside.
With this configuration, when both width direction ends of medium discharged onto the support face ride over the one out of the pair of first projections or the pair of second projections having a height that decreases on progression toward the width direction inside, the medium can be bent such that the width direction central portion of the medium droops down smoothly under its own weight.
In the medium supporting device, a pair of upstream projections are preferably provided on the support face in a state spaced apart from each other in the width direction upstream of the pair of first projections in the discharge direction.
With this configuration, when both width direction ends of the medium discharged onto the support face ride over the pair of upstream projections, the medium can be bent such that the width direction central portion of the medium droops down under its own weight at an earlier stage.
In the medium supporting device, upper faces of the pair of upstream projections are preferably inclined so as to become lower on progression toward the width direction inside.
With this configuration, when both width direction ends of medium discharged onto the support face ride over the pair of upstream projections, the medium can be bent such that the width direction central portion of the medium droops down under its own weight more effectively.
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit, a discharge port, and a support member. The printing unit is disposed inside a casing and prints on a medium. The discharge port is provided to the casing, and the medium is discharged from the discharge port after being printed on by the printing unit. The support member supports the medium discharged from the discharge port. The support member is configured by the medium supporting device configured as above.
Such configuration is able to achieve similar operation and advantageous effects to that of the medium supporting device above.
In the printing apparatus, a pair of main body projections are preferably provided in the discharge port in a state spaced apart from each other in the width direction.
In the printing apparatus, upper faces of the pair of main body projections are preferably inclined so as to become lower on progression toward the width direction inside.
With this configuration, when both width direction ends of medium discharged from the discharge port ride over the pair of main body projections, the medium can be bent such that the width direction central portion of the medium droops down under its own weight at an earlier stage and more effectively.
In the printing apparatus, the main body projections are preferably disposed to the width direction inside of the pair of first projections.
Such configuration enables the medium to maintain a curved profile even over the support portion.
The disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
Explanation follows regarding an embodiment in which a printing apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer, with reference to the drawings.
As illustrated in
The automatic document feeder 13 includes a setting section 14 upon which plural documents G can be set in a stacked state, and a discharge section 15 disposed below the setting section 14. The plural documents G set upon the setting section 14 in a stacked state are read by a reading unit (not illustrated) disposed at an upper end section inside the casing 12 in a process in which the documents G are sequentially inverted and fed to the discharge section 15 via a document feeding path (not illustrated).
In sequence going up from a bottom side portion, a front face portion of the casing 12 is provided with an opening/closing cover 16; a loading port 18, into which a paper cassette 17 storing paper P is loaded, the paper P serving as an example of a flexible medium; a discharge port 19 from which printed-on paper is discharged; and an operation unit 20 for performing various operations. A discharge tray 21, serving as an example of a medium supporting device configuring a support member that supports printed-on paper discharged from the discharge port 19, is removably attached to the front face portion of the casing 12 so as to project out toward the front.
Here, the front face of the casing 12 refers to a side-face extending in the height and width directions, where a user performs most operations on the ink jet printer 11. In the present embodiment, the discharge direction X is the direction along which paper P is discharged from the discharge port 19, and the width direction Y a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction X. The discharge direction X and the width direction Y run substantially horizontally.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A circular-arc-shaped circular-arc protrusion 61, centered on the rotation axis of the hinge, is formed at the back face side of the document reader 50. The projecting section 60 of the casing 12 is formed with a circular-arc-shaped circular-arc recess 62, against which the circular-arc protrusion 61 formed to the document reader 50 is capable of sliding. The document reader 50 is opened/closed by sliding the circular-arc protrusion 61 on the side of the document reader 50 along the circular-arc recess 62 of the casing 12, with the hinge configuring the axis of rotation.
Paper P is sequentially supplied from the paper cassette 17 or the back face paper supply unit to a region that faces the recording head 23, and the paper P is printed on by ejecting ink toward the paper P from the recording head 23 moving to-and-fro along the width direction Y together with the carriage 22 as the paper P is transported along the discharge direction X by a transport unit (not illustrated). Paper P that has been printed on by the recording head 23 (printed-on paper P) is discharged from the discharge port 19 to the discharge tray 21, and is sequentially stacked and supported on the discharge tray 21.
As illustrated in
The extension tray 32 is capable of movement between a storage position in which the extension tray 32 is stored in the main tray 31 (the position illustrated in
In cases in which the discharge direction X length of the paper P discharged from the discharge port 19 is comparatively long (for example, in cases in which the paper P is A4-size paper in portrait orientation), the extension tray 32 of the discharge tray 21 is moved to the extended position for use. In contrast, in cases in which the discharge direction X length of the paper P discharged from the discharge port 19 is comparatively short (for example, in cases in which the paper P is A4-size paper in landscape orientation), the extension tray 32 of the discharge tray 21 is moved to the storage position for use.
As illustrated in
At the discharge direction X leading end side of the main tray 31, first projections 36 that project upward above the height of the support face 31a are provided, as a pair, at both width direction Y ends of the main tray 31. The pair of first projections 36 are provided so as to be inclined upward on progression toward the discharge direction X side. In this case, the upper face of each of the first projections 36 configures a first inclined face 36a that is inclined so as to increase in height from the support face 31a on progression along the discharge direction X.
At the discharge direction X leading end side of the main tray 31, second projections 37 that project upward above the height of the support face 31a are provided, as a pair, at both width direction Y ends of the extension tray 32. The pair of second projections 37 are provided so as to be inclined upward on progression toward the discharge direction X side. In this case, the upper face of each of the second projections 37 configures a second inclined face 37a that is inclined so as to increase in height from the support face 31a on progression along the discharge direction X.
The pair of second projections 37 are positioned at the width direction Y inside of the pair of first projections 36. Namely, when the extension tray 32 is at the storage position, the pair of second projections 37 are disposed adjacent to the pair of first projections 36 at the width direction Y inside of the first projections 36. Namely, in the width direction Y, the distance between the pair of second projections 37 is shorter than the distance between the pair of first projections 36. Adjacent first inclined faces 36a of the first projections 36 and second inclined faces 37a of the second projections 37 are configured so as to be flush with each other in the width direction Y.
In the present embodiment, the distance between the pair of walls 35 is set so as to be slightly longer than the length of the long edge of a sheet of A4-size paper P; the distance between the pair of first projections 36 is set so as to be shorter than the length of the long edge of, and longer than the length of the short edge of, a sheet of A4-size paper P; and the distance between the pair of second projections 37 is set so as to be slightly shorter than the length of the short edge a sheet of A4-size paper P. Note that the distance between the pair of second projections 37 is set so as to be shorter than the width direction Y length of paper usable by the ink jet printer 11.
Explanation follows regarding operation of the discharge tray 21 when the ink jet printer 11 is used.
As illustrated in
Namely, printed-on paper P discharged from the discharge port 19 onto the discharge tray 21 first moves along the discharge direction X over the support face 31a, then passes between the pair of first projections 36 en route to the pair of second projections 37. When this occurs, in cases in which the direction of movement of the paper P is offset in the width direction Y with respect to the discharge direction X, a width direction Y end of the paper P abuts a width direction Y inner face 36b of the first projection 36 that is positioned on the side of the offset in the direction of movement of the paper P, thereby suppressing the offset in the direction of movement of the paper P. Namely, the inner faces 36b of the pair of first projections 36 in the width direction Y restrict width direction Y movement of paper P having a width that is narrower than the distance between the pair of first projections 36.
Then, the paper P passing between the pair of first projections 36 and moving toward the pair of second projections 37 moves further along the discharge direction X, and as illustrated in
The paper P is thereby supported by the pair of second projections 37 in a state balanced in the width direction Y as the paper P curves such that the central portion between the pair of second projections 37 and the width direction Y central portion of the paper P face each other in the up-down direction. Namely, even when the paper P is supported by the pair of second projections 37 in a state in which it has a positional offset in the width direction Y, the positional offset in the width direction Y is suppressed by the weight of the paper P. Accordingly, even in cases in which plural sheets of paper P are consecutively printed, variation in the width direction Y positions of the plural sheets of paper P supported in a stacked state on the discharge tray 21 is suppressed.
As illustrated in
Namely, printed-on paper P discharged from the discharge port 19 over the discharge tray 21 moves along the discharge direction X and onto the support face 31a. When this occurs, in cases in which the direction of movement of the paper P is offset in the width direction Y with respect to the discharge direction X, a width direction Y end of the paper P abuts the wall 35 positioned at the side of the offset in the direction of movement of the paper P, thereby suppressing the offset in the direction of movement of the paper P. Namely, the pair of walls 35 restrict width direction Y movement of paper P having a width that is narrower than the distance between the pair of walls 35.
Note that even when discharged onto the discharge tray 21, A4-size paper P in landscape orientation will generally not reach as far as the pair of first projections 36 and the pair of second projections 37. However, if the paper P were to be discharged onto the discharge tray 21 with an unexpected amount of force, the pair of first projections 36 and the pair of second projections 37 would function as stoppers for the paper P.
The following advantageous effects are able to be obtained by the embodiment described in detail above.
(1) On the discharge tray 21, the pair of second projections 37 are positioned to the width direction Y inside of the pair of first projections 36. Thus, in cases in which the extension tray 32 is at the extended position and the width of paper P discharged onto the support face 31a is narrower than the distance between the pair of first projections 36 and wider than the distance between the pair of second projections 37, both width direction Y ends of the paper P discharged onto the support face 31a ride over the pair of second projections 37 as the pair of first projections 36 restrict width direction Y movement of the paper P. When this occurs, force toward the width direction Y inside acts on the paper P, causing the paper P to bend such that the width direction Y central portion of the paper P droops down under its own weight. This enables variation in the width direction Y positions of paper P discharged onto the support face 31a to be suppressed. Namely, this enables variation in the width direction Y positions of plural sheets of paper P discharged and stacked on the support face 31a to be suppressed. Further, even when the extension tray 32 is in a stored state, both width direction Y ends of discharged paper P ride over the first projections 36 and the second projections 37 such that the width direction Y central portion of the paper P bends, and so the paper P is imparted with stiffness (rigidity) as it is supported by the main tray 31. Thus, even when the extension tray 32 is in a stored state (a shortened state), a leading end portion of the paper P that projects beyond the main tray 31 can be prevented from drooping downward and causing the paper P to fall down under its own weight.
(2) On the discharge tray 21, the walls 35 extending along the discharge direction X are provided, as a pair, at both width direction Y ends of the main tray 31 so as to face each other across the support face 31a. Width direction Y movement of paper P discharged onto the support face 31a can accordingly be restricted by the pair of walls 35.
(3) On the discharge tray 21, in a state in which the extension tray 32 is at the extended position, the inner faces 36b of the pair of first projections 36 in the width direction Y restrict width direction Y movement of paper P having a width that is narrower than the distance between the pair of first projections 36. Width direction Y movement of paper P discharged onto the support face 31a can accordingly be appropriately restricted by the inner faces 36b of the pair of first projections 36 in the width direction Y.
Note that the above embodiment may be modified as follows. Moreover, configuration included in the above embodiment may also be freely combined with configuration included in the following modified examples, and configuration included in the following modified examples may be freely combined together.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-252563 | Dec 2016 | JP | national |
| 2017-166547 | Aug 2017 | JP | national |
